Report on a clinical evaluation of the KerraPro Heel silicone heel pad.

Abstract

Heels are at increased risk of injury due to the posterior prominence and lack of padding over the calcaneus. Pressure injuries, once established, are extremely costly, both in terms of the detrimental effect on psychosocial wellbeing and threat to life, as well as financially due to length of hospital stay and resources used to heal the wounds. A new and inexpensive silicone heel pad has been designed to simplify the necessary decisions and to address the problems associated with pressure injuries to the heels. This article will describe an observational evaluation of the product. KerraPro Heel pads were evaluated in two separate cohorts of 17 participants over a 4-week period with the primary aim to evaluate the efficacy of the product in preventing and alleviating pressure injuries on the heels. All participants had been reported as 'at risk' or 'at high risk' of pressure injury to the heels and had a history of developing such lesions. The KerraPro heel pads were compared with the participant's standard protocol. The outcome of the evaluation demonstrated the effectiveness of the KerraPro Heel pads in the prevention and treatment of heel pressure injuries.

• Authors: A Knowles, S Young, F Collins, S Hampton
• Journal: Journal of wound care (J Wound Care) Vol. 22 Issue 11 Pg. 599-600, 602, 604, passim (Nov 2013) ISSN: 0969-0700 [Print] England
• PMID: 24225600 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Observational Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Silicones

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Equipment Design
• Foot Ulcer (diagnostic imaging, prevention & control)
• Heel (diagnostic imaging)
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Pressure Ulcer (diagnostic imaging, prevention & control)
• Protective Devices
• Silicones
• Ultrasonography