[Prevention of pressure ulcers in heels].

Heels are, for all assistance levels, one of the most frequent locations for the development of pressure ulcers (PU). In this study we deal to investigate in order to determine in patients at risk in an Internal Medicine Unit, the PU incidence on heels, after applying a specific prevention protocol. This protocol particularly designed for pressure ulcers on heels included a combined application of special hydrocellular dressings specially shaped for heels (Allevyn Heel), hyper-oxygenated fatty acids (Mepentol) and special surfaces for pressure management (Aerocare); afterwards, we attempted a comparison of our results with those from previous similar studies. We designed a prospective study which lasted from May 1-2002 until June 30-2003, with a sample of 100 patients without PU included in the study when admitted to the unit. The cumulated incidence established for PU in heels is a 4% which means an incidence rate of 2.06 PU in heels per 1000 persons/day. After observing the results we may affirm that applying the protocol is, under a clinical point of view, as effective as other measures used in previous studies. If we focus on the cost-benefit, the protocol studied represents an option with an excellent cost-efficiency relationship.