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What is pressure relief? Why is it important? - October 2020
What is pressure relief? Why is it important? - October 2020
-Pressure relief is necessary to decrease the risk of skin breakdown for wheelchair users.
-Pressure relief is necessary to decrease the risk of skin breakdown for wheelchair users.
-Pressure relief should be performed every 15-30 minutes that a child is in his/her wheelchair and should last 30-90 seconds.
-Pressure relief should be performed every 15-30 minutes that a child is in his/her wheelchair and should last 30-90 seconds.
-Pressure relief can include use of tilt or recline, wheelchair push ups, leaning forward, or leaning side to side
-Pressure relief can include use of tilt or recline, wheelchair push ups, leaning forward, or leaning side to side
-For every 1 hour of sitting, tissue requires 2 minutes of pressure relief to re perfuse with blood.
-For every 1 hour of sitting, tissue requires 2 minutes of pressure relief to re perfuse with blood.
Causes of Skin Breakdown:
Prolonged periods of staying still (in bed, wheelchair, etc)
Wearing clothing that is too tight
Poor posture
Poor circulation
Incontinence
Impaired Circulation
Poor nutrition
What to look for:
Blisters
Swelling
Softening/whiteness of the skin
Breaks/open areas in the skin
Wearing away or tearing of skin in affected area
Most common places for skin breakdown:
Buttocks (on the “sits bones” or tailbone
Along the spine
Shoulder blades
Heels
Elbows
Hip bones
Knees (inner, outer, or behind)
Ankles (inner or outer)
Ways to relieve pressure (wheels should be locked for all of these examples):
Ways to relieve pressure (wheels should be locked for all of these examples):
Upright Position
Full tilt -Can use any degree of tilt in between
Leaning to one side or the other
Wheelchair Push Ups
Forward lean
Four Fun Activities to Try at Home
Four Fun Activities to Try at Home
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