J Nurs Acad Soc.  1974 Dec;4(3):93-104.

A Comparative Study on the Effect of Gel Pad, Sheepskin and Sponge on Prevention and Treatment of Decubitus Ulcers

• Lee EO
• Kim MJ

Abstract

Regardless of a patient's diagnosis, the care of his skin has been a primary concern of nurses throughout the years. Nurses has washed, dried, and rubbed the skin and have changed his position so as to keep the patient's skin in good condition and to protect him from pressure sores. However, we still find many 'patients suffering from the pressure sores which may take many mothers or years of treatment and cost a lot to be repaired. In view of expensive cost for treatment of the sores and low ratios of nursing staff per patient for intensive nursing care, prophylaxis of the bed sores with sufficient aids is extremely important both for patients and for nurses. Therefore, the unique purpose of this study was to determine whether sponge is good enough to treat and prevent the pressure sore as compared with gel pad and sheepskin. Sixty patients in the age range of 15 through 45 who were in unconscious status or have difficulty of mobility were chosen between January and March of 1974 at Seoul National University Hospital. They were randomly assigned to each treatment and observed on every 4th day with regard to level of consciousness, status of mobility, moisture or dryness of the bed, general skin condition, intake of nutrition, vital signs and intevals of position change in comparison with the changes of skin over the bony prominences. The study results were reviewed in a statistical method analysis of variance-to obtain the following findings; 1. There was no significantly different changes of skin over the sacrum or the trochanter in each group using gel pad, sheepskin or sponge. It means that we may substitute sponge for 2. There was no significant difference among mean changes of patient's skin in relation to sheepskin, gel pad and sponge. 3. There was no significant changes of patient's skin in relation to level of consciousness, status of mobility, intake of nutrition, general skin condition, temperature, blood pressure or interval of position change. 4. There were no meaningful interactions between each treatment and level of consciousness, moisture or dryness of the bed, intake of nutrition, general skin condition, temperature or blood pressure. 5. Sheepskin and gel pad had significantly better influence on patients with limited-mobility than on patients with immobility, and sponge on patients with immobility on than patients with limited mobility. 6. Sheepskin and sponge had meaningfully batter influence on patients changing position at below 2-hour interval, gel pad at 2-4-hour interval, sheepskin at 4-6-hour interval, and three of them at above 6-hour interval.

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Consciousness
Diagnosis
Femur
Humans
Mothers
Nursing Care
Nursing Staff
Porifera*
Pressure Ulcer*
Sacrum
Seoul
Skin
Vital Signs