A look at the right questions to ask when using pressure cushions.
Pressure cushions are one of the ways in which a carer can help their patient maintain correct posture and avoid injuries such as pressure ulcers. However, for anyone using these it is important to recognise that they must be placed correctly to ensure they are of genuine help to a patient. It is not enough simply to have a good cushion; it must be applied correctly as well. This blog will look at three things to check to make sure your patient is comfortable when you are using pressure cushions.
Is the Whole Body Supported?
The ideal seating position is when the whole body is supported – head, neck, arms back, posterior, thighs, calves and feet. The reason for this, of course, is that the more a patient’s weight is distributed, the less weight will be on any one area. Our first thought when deciding to use a cushion then should be to look to see if there are any parts of the body that are not currently supported, and to apply the cushion to provide the missing support.
One thing that it is important to avoid is that the cushion does not inadvertently place any extra pressure on any other parts of the body. If we place a cushion under the thighs, for example, it may increase the pressure on the posterior or lumbar regions. Work with the chair and the patient to use the cushions to spread their weight evenly across the chair.
Is the Patient’s Posture Good?
One of the most common uses for cushions is as postural support. Correct placement of support cushions can maintain a straight spine and ensure a patient is not sliding forwards. Observe your patient’s position and see how much room there may be for them to move. If you feel that there is a risk of them shifting into an uncomfortable position use a cushion to minimise this. The goal is for the cushion to be supportive but not to place too much pressure on the body – they do not want to be squeezed into position.
Are You Working With The Chair?
There is no one way to place support cushions, because there are so many different types of chair that a patient may be sitting in. Is there a tilt in space or recline function and how will you position the cushions to allow for this? How suitable is the chair for the patient? Ultimately, the cushions should be a complement and not something you rely on. If you find that you are using multiple cushions and frequently repositioning them, it may be the case that your patient requires a more suitable chair.
Our range of Recliners Chairs has something to suit every type of patient. Choose between flexible, tilt in space models and comfortable, traditional recliners chairs.