The Importance of Pressure Care

Residents will often spend the majority of their time in their bedroom which means it is absolutely crucial that bedrooms are kitted out with the appropriate equipment to ensure the right level of care. In this guide, we will endeavour to walk you through everything you need to know about care beds and pressure care mattresses – from insights into why selecting the right equipment is so important to an overview of the various solutions that are available.

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The Importance of Pressure Care

What is a pressure ulcer?

A pressure ulcer is an area of localised damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by pressure that disrupts the flow of blood through the skin which causes it to break down. ‍

Who is at risk?

They often affect people with limited mobility who are unable to change position without help and can be prevalent in elderly people as skin will become thinner and weaker as we age, increasing susceptibility.

Prevention is a priority

Pressure ulcers can be unpleasant, upsetting and incredibly challenging to treat which is why focusing on the ways we can prevent them is vital. Techniques for prevention include:

• regularly changing a person’s position

• using equipment to protect vulnerable parts of the body

• ensure a well-balanced diet is in place and maintain hydration

‍How to grade pressure ulcers

For residents who have already developed pressure ulcers, it is crucial that the grade of the ulcer is identified correctly so that appropriate treatment can be provided. We recommend using The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) below:

Grade 1: Non-blanchable erytheme of intact skin, skin discolouration, warmth and oedema. Induration or hardness of skin may also be used as indicators, particularly on individuals with dark skin tones.

Grade 2: Partial thickness skin loss involving the epidermis, dermis or both. The ulcer is superficial and presents clinically as an abrasion or blister. Presents as a shiny or dry shallow ulcer without slough or bruising (which indicates suspected deep tissue injury).

Grade 3: Full thickness skin loss involving damage to, or necrosis of, subcutaneous tissue that may extend won to, but not through underlying fascia.

Grade 4: Full thickness tissue loss involving extensive destruction, tissue necrosis, or damage to muscle, bone or supporting structures with our without full thickness skin loss.

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Understanding Pressure Care Mattresses

As a rule, pressure care mattresses fall into one of two categories – reactive therapy and active therapy. While both systems support the provision of pressure care, they differ in the way they function and are suitable for different residents.

Reactive Therapy

On the whole, reactive therapy is used for lower risk residents who maintain a degree of independence in their mobility and can even be appropriate for residents who have existing superficial pressure ulcers. Static mattresses help to reduce pressure as they mould and contour around the body. They work by spreading the user’s weight over a large area, relieving the pressure over bony areas that are prone to ulcer development.

Active Therapy

On the other hand, active therapy is widely used for higher risk residents who have greater levels of dependency and reduced mobility. It is also suitable for those who have already developed severe pressure ulcers. Dynamic air mattresses are made up of multiple air pockets or cells which inflate and deflate to help provide pressure relief and increase blood flow across the resident’s body.

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Find out more about Pressure Care in our Insight Brochure.

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Choosing the right bed & pressure care mattress

Blueleaf provides a comprehensive range of pressure care mattresses and profiling beds designed to enhance comfort, dignity, and clinical outcomes for residents in care environments. With a focus on quality and innovation, Blueleaf partners with leading manufacturers to offer solutions that help prevent and manage pressure ulcers while supporting mobility and independence. Their profiling beds are designed for ease of use by caregivers, featuring adjustable height and positioning functions that improve both resident well-being and staff efficiency. By supplying reliable and effective pressure care solutions, Blueleaf continues to support care homes in delivering the highest standards of care.

View our range of Beds & Pressure Care Mattressess.

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