Independent Nursing Study
Squirrel Apollo 9000 – Alternating Air Overlay
Date: 4th July 2006
Care Provider:
- Jacqueline Pallister – Matron
- Hawthorn Lodge Nursing & Residential Care Home
- 2 Canberra Grove
- Hartburn
- Stockton-on-Tees
- TS18 5EL
Credentials:
Jacqueline qualified as an SRN at Newcastle General Hospital in 1974 and has since undertaken and achieved numerous qualifications in nursing. These include a Diploma in Elderly Care, an NVQ Level 4 as well as a Certificate of Management. Jacqueline achieved the position of Matron of Hawthorn Lodge in October 1998 with the remit, amongst others, of total responsibility of patient care.
The effective treatment and prevention of pressure ulcers is of primary importance to Jacqueline, and during her thirty two years within the medical profession she has witnessed many pressure ulcers being treated on a variety of pressure relieving mattresses. Due to such experience, Jacqueline can provide a valuable testimony as to the effectiveness of such products when treating persons with a pressure ulcer.
Equipment Details
This is not a photograph of the actual pressure ulcer of client X – but can be used as guide of the type of ulcer encountered.
Squirrel Apollo 9000 – Alternating Air Overlay
This overlay was placed on top of a standard foam Kings Fund mattress, 110 cm depth and used on a standard Kings Fund bed for a period in excess of 90 days. Different bases and clients of different weight, age and condition may give different results. These notes are not intended to prove that this product is suitable in all circumstances, but to assist in the clinical and professional judgement of potential users in similar circumstances.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 200cm x 90cm x 12.5cm
- Power: 220v / 50 Hz
- Pressure Range: 30-60mmHG
- Air Output: 4-6 litres
- Cycle Time: 10 Minutes
- Weight Limit:108 Kg
- Noise: Less than 30db
Client Details:
Name: Name withheld (data protection act)
- Age: 96
- Weight: 9 Stones 7lb / 61.8 Kgs
- Sex: Female
- Condition: Diabetic
- Stroke Phychsis
- Low BMI
- Small Grade 2 ulcer on heels
Matrons Report
“This 96y year old lady had suffered a stroke.
Due to her Phycosis it was difficult to ensure adequate dietary intake to maintain BM levels.
Due to her being bed bound her heals rapidly broke down leaving a small grade 2 pressure ulcer. After placing her on a Squirrel 9000 Air Mattress her heels began to improve. At approximately 8 days no further deterioration of this condition occurred and then the sore started to show signs of recovery. She is still nursed on this air flow mattress and after approximately 41 days her heals were completely healed.
In my professional capacity I believe that the Squirrel 9000 is, in terms of patient care at least equal to other air flow mattresses used within the industry. We have not experienced any adverse incidences with regards patient care and continue to use them at present.
Any adverse incident would be reported to the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
Independent Nursing Study
This graph indicates potential factors in the cause of this clients skin damage. Note the forces being exerted on buttocks and heels due to the use of a profiling bed frame. Please see Pinch Prevention for further details.
Squirrel Luna 9100 – Alternating Air Overlay
Date: 4th July 2006
Product: Squirrel Luna 9100
Care Provider:
- Gillian Berry – Matron
- Honiton Manor Nursing Home
- Exeter Road
- Honiton
- Devon
- EX141AL
Credentials:
Gillian qualified as an SRN in 1978 and has since achieved numerous qualifications including ENB 941 Nursing People in Elderly Care. Gillian has also undertaken a great many courses involved in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers including subjects such as Nutrition and Risk Assessment. For several years, Gillian managed various nursing facilities including an Elderly Care Unit for the NHS. She was appointed Matron of Honiton Manor in October 1998 was where she continues to this day.
Honiton Manor Nursing Home is responsible for the care, nursing and general well being of elderly people. The effective treatment and prevention of pressure ulcers is of primary importance to Gillian, and during her years within the medical profession she has witnessed many pressure ulcers being treated on a variety of pressure relieving mattresses. Due to such experience, Gillian can provide a valuable testimony as to the effectiveness of such products when treating persons with a pressure ulcer.
Nursing Study – Pressure Relieving Equipment
Product: Squirrel Luna 9100 Alternating Overlay Mattress
This overlay was placed on top of a standard foam Kings Fund mattress, 110 cm depth and used on a standard Kings Fund bed, for a period in excess of 90 days. Different bases and clients of different weight, age and condition may give different results. These notes are not intended to prove that this product is suitable in all circumstances, but to assist in the clinical and professional judgement of potential users in similar circumstances.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 200cm x 90cm x 10cm
- Power: 220v / 50 Hz
- Pressure Range: 30-60mmHG
- Air Output: 4-6 litres
- Cycle Time: 10 Minutes
- Weight Limit:160Kg
- Noise: Less than 30db
Client Details:
Name: Name withheld (data protection act).
- Age: 92
- Weight: 30.6 Kgs
- Sex: Female
- Condition: Grade 2 Pressure Sore
- Odematius
- Very Poor Mobility
Matrons Report
This elderly female resident was admitted to our home on 18th May 2006 with very poor mobility and both of her legs were Odematius. She had developed a small grade 2 pressure sore on a Primagel mattress. We therefore transferred her to a Squirrel 9100 Air Mattress on 25th June 2006. After 9 days the sore was noted to be visibly getting better and after a further 38 days the sore had completely healed. Her skin became quite intact and we suggest that the Squirrel 9100 is perfectly adequate for this kind of resident.
In my professional capacity I believe that the Squirrel 9100 is, in terms of patient care at least equal to that of other air flow mattresses used within the industry. We have not experienced any adverse incidences with regards patient care and continue to use them at present.
Any adverse incident would be reported to the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
Independent Nursing Study
Squirrel Juno 9200 – Alternating Air Overlay
Date: 26th October 2006
Care Provider:
- Villa Maria Private Nursing Home
- 62-68 Croham Road
- South Croydon
- Surrey
- CR2 7BB
Credentials:
Since qualifying as an RGN in 1978, Maureen Donnelly has since achieved numerous qualifications including ENB 941 Nursing People in Elderly Care. She has also undertaken a great many courses involved in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers including subjects such as Nutrition & Risk Assessment. Maureen was appointed Matron of Villa Maria Private Nursing Home in May 1996.
Villa Maria is a progressive and friendly Nursing Home which promotes the physical, mental and emotional well-being of each individual within their care. Many of the clients are vulnerable to pressure conditions and therefore careful risk assessment coupled with good nursing care is central to their wound prevention policy. During her 28 years with the medical profession, Maureen has successfully treated a variety of pressure sores, using various pressure relieving mattresses.
Equipment Details
Squirrel 9200 – Alternating Air Overlay
This overlay was placed on top of a standard foam Kings Fund mattress, 110 cm depth and used on a standard bed, for a period in excess of 90 days.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 200cm x 83.4 cm x 12.5cm
- Power: 220v / 50 Hz
- Pressure Range: 30-60mmHG
- Air Output: 4-6 litres
- Cycle Time: 10 Minutes
- Weight Limit:160Kg
- Noise: Less than 30db
Client Details:
Name: Name withheld (data protection act)
- Age: 92
- Weight: 45.6 Kgs
- Sex: Female
- Condition: Grade 2 Pressure Sore
- Immobile
- Diabetic
Matrons Report
“A resident of 92 years of age, diabetic and immobile had a small grade 2 pressure ulcer on her sacrum and signs of redness on her heels.
The client was transferred to a Squirrel 9200 alternating mattress. A careful turning regime was implemented and in conjunction with good nursing care, particular attention to nutritional status, the ulcer started to improve at 9 days and, after 34 days, had healed. The redness on the heels also disappeared.
This client, whom we categorized as very high risk used the Squirrel 9200 mattress for the duration of her stay and the vulnerable skin areas remained intact.
We have been very satisfied with these mattresses and have used them in a variety of situations. We use them constantly on our terminally ill clients finding them beneficial in the short term, and relatives have been comforted in the knowledge that their loved ones look so comfortable.
We use them regularly on clients newly admitted from hospital with either superficial sores or grade 3 to 4 pressure sores. The use of the Squirrel 9200 mattress combined with good nursing care, diet, dressings and turning regimes have produced some excellent results. Nurses, clients, family and visiting professionals have all been delighted and impressed at the improvement in skin condition.
I would highly recommend Squirrel mattresses and have not considered any other pressure relieving products since discovering them. Not only is the product good but the service from the Company is exceptional. Phone calls are dealt with promptly and politely and delivery is normally the next day. On the rare occasion we have a problem we can ring and everyone is so helpful – replacement items are normally received in the post the next day. This is very competitively priced, good product. In my professional capacity I believe that the Squirrel 9200 is, in terms of patient care at least equal to that of other air flow mattresses used within the industry. We have not experienced any adverse incidences with regards patient care and continue to use them at present.
Any adverse incident would be reported to the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.”
Squirrel Medical provide a facility for NHS, Nursing clients to undertake their own internal clinical review against their existing mattress stocks. Please call 0845 003 7979 for further details.
Manufacturers Report
We have evidence that the aforementioned product’s, when used in conjunction with good nursing care and when used as an aid to care rather than as a substitute, will assist in the prevention of pressure ulcers. The client category being treated on such devices is normally at very high risk of developing a pressure ulcer. We therefore feel that it should also be suitable for use by people at very high risk of developing a pressure ulcer. This decision however must ultimately be made by the qualified nurse based on their judgment and experience.
Disclaimer
There is as yet no internationally recognized standard or testing house which would allow all pressure relieving products to be compared against an agreed set of criteria with regards their being high risk or very high risk. Squirrel Medical therefore uses a combination of clinical evidence supported by independent nursing studies. Our usage of words such as high risk is based on our internal research coupled with independent nursing studies undertaken by our customers, often in comparison to other industry standard products.
Squirrel Medicals alternating air products are designed as an aid to assist trained nurses in their efforts to improve nursing care and therefore to prevent the formation of ulcers. Squirrel Medicals products must not be used as a substitute for care, but as an extra facility to be used, if necessary as an aid to administer professional nursing care. Squirrel Alternating air products must be used in conjunction with recommended nursing practices such as a turning regime. All nursing or care staff must be suitably trained in the methodology of pressure ulcer prevention.
Squirrel Medical is unable to guarantee that the use of any of their products will, by themselves prevent or heal ulcer formation. An ulcer may sometimes develop as a result of prior events, such as a fall, which resulted in the person being admitted to hospital. Prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers relies on a combination of a nurses professional judgment in assessing risk provision of suitable care and if necessary the use of appropriate pressure relieving equipment.
