Latest News
November 2008
New hope in the prevention of pressure ulcers for wheelchair users
It is a disturbing fact that the prevalence of debilitating pressure ulcers among wheelchair users remains high. But with a limited choice of pressure reducing seating to help in their prevention, perhaps this is not surprising.
However, help is now at hand as Select Medical has the answer, a battery powered, pressure relieving alternating seating system.
The Anser Battery system is ideally suited to wheelchairs due to its unique portability enabling users able to enjoy 6 to 12 hours of worry free mobility and comfort. To back up these claims, the Anser seating system has completed rigorous testing as part of an independent assessment carried out at the University of Central Lancashire. Professor Jim Richards led the team assessing the equipment whose aim was to investigate the effect the Anser battery powered seating system had on seating pressure during prolonged periods of use.
“Prolonged periods of time in a seated position without movement can lead to the development of pressure ulcers on a person’s legs or buttocks” explains Professor Richards. “People with spinal disability and the elderly are just two groups that are particularly vulnerable to this. They therefore have to rely on pressure relieving devices such as the Anser to help relieve pressure when they are seated for long periods of time, such as when they are using wheelchairs.”
“We tested Select Medical’s Anser system which consists of an inflatable pad attached to the seat and a control unit which inflates the pad to a low, medium or high level, dependant on the user’s personal preference. At each of the levels, the control unit works on a cycle which varies the level of inflation continuously, relieving the pressure placed upon the patient. Such devices would also be particularly useful in chairs for use in nursing homes.”
“The Anser battery powered seating system showed a reduction in seated pressures at the buttocks. The variability in peak pressure throughout the cycle of the cushion indicated that the position of greatest pressure continually moved so that no single area was subjected to constant high pressure, particularly relevant for the elderly or disabled people with reduced mobility.”
Professor Richard concludes: “During testing we found that the Anser system was very effective in varying the pressure, dramatically reducing the pressure for the user and helping to prevent the possibility of pressure ulcers developing.”
For further information on the Anser seating system, contact Ray Booth,
Select Medical on 01254 505099 or email ray@selectmedical.co.uk