Under Pressure... Wounds: The Prevention of Bedsores

Overview

In many healthcare facilities, the possibility of bedsores forming are a common concern. The formation of bedsores, also called pressure wounds, concern healthcare workers as the deep tissue wound could compromise the patient's comfort, health, and prolong their stay which causes a greater financial burden. Depending on the patient's mobility, the prevention of these sores are limited. Methods including continuous movement, elevation of certain limbs, and pillow cushioning may cause discomfort or may not be possible with certain patients. With continuous research, more prevention methods are undergoing experimentation. By using pig skin as a proxy for human skin, different materials can be tested to determine how much pressure is reduced from a bony prominence and in turn prevent the formation of bedsores. Through continuous testing of different materials including gauze, bandages, gels, etc., more methods can be found to prevent pressure wounds and ensure patient comfort.

Competition history

• ISEF 2024 Translational Medical Science · Entry TMED004 · Los Angeles, California, United States

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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