6 October 2005
Monash University wound care expert Ms Jan Rice has welcomed a $570,000 upgrade of mattresses in Victoria's public aged care facilities, saying the improved bedding would help alleviate the significant problem of pressure ulcers in elderly patients.
The funding was announced by the Victorian aged care minister Mr Gavin Jennings last month. It will be used to supply high-quality static pressure-reduction foam mattresses for high dependency aged care residents.
Ms Rice, the manager of education and clinical services with the Wound Foundation of Australia at Monash's Victorian College of Pharmacy, said many patients in public care developed pressure sores.
"Essentially, all bed-ridden people are at risk," she said. "The situation is worse if their legs are heavy because they have fluid retention, or if they are recovering from a fractured hip and they cannot move. Sixty per cent of those types of patients get pressure ulcers that are painful for patients and very time-consuming for nursing staff to manage."
Ms Rice said pressure ulcers could be avoided through good nursing practice. "One of the simplest ways to avoid pressure sores is to elevate the heels off the bed, using a pillow under the legs," she said.
The government funding is part of strategy to reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcers in public hospitals. Last year the Victorian government gave $750,000 to improve bedding for elderly acute care patients.
Ms Rice said the increased funding was the result of industry pressure. "The Victorian Wound Management Association and nursing staff have lobbied for this. The study by Mr Geoff Sussman of the Victorian College of Pharmacy into wound management in aged care facilities also raised the profile of the issue," she said.
For more information contact Ms Jan Rice on +61 3 9903 9123 or Ms Robyn Anns, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9317 or 0417 568 781.
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