Angmorterh Seth Kwadjo, England Andrew, Aboagye Sonia, Ofori Eric Kwasi, Hogg Peter
Department of Medical Imaging, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, Ghana.
School of Allied Health Professions, Keele University, Staffordshire, Newcastle, UK.
Radiol Res Pract. 2020 Nov 24;2020:3246531. doi: 10.1155/2020/3246531. eCollection 2020.
The incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) presents a substantial threat to patients, especially geriatric patients, those with restricted mobility, and patients suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer. PUs creates a huge financial burden on healthcare authorities and patients, costing billions to treat and manage. Radiography and radiotherapy patients may experience medical device related (MDR) PUs and studies have shown that high interface pressure (IP) values exist for the head when placed on an X-ray table without a mattress. These high IP values pose a PU risk to patients, especially those accessing prolonged radiography/radiology and radiotherapy procedures. The current study assessed the impact on IP values for the head from using a thin silicone gel surface overlay during radiographic procedures and identified whether this reduced the risk of PUs.
A calibrated XSENSOR pressure mat was used to measure IP for the head on an X-ray table with and without a thin silicone gel surface overlay. Prior to pressure mapping, the silicone gel surface overlay was assessed for its impact on radiation attenuation and image quality.
Study participants were 14 males (70%) and six females (30%), with an age range of 25-53 years (mean = 34.4 ± 7.0). Paired-samples -test results indicated that there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean IP for the head on the X-ray table without the silicone gel surface overlay (mean = 83.9 ± 8.2 in mmHg) and the X-ray table with the gel surface overlay (mean = 62.4 ± 6.1 in mmHg), ≤ 0.001. Paired-samples -test results indicated that there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean peak pressure index (PPI) for the head on the X-ray table without the silicone gel surface overlay (mean = 205.1 ± 28.2 in mmHg) and the X-ray table with the gel surface overlay (mean = 159.8 ± 26.8 in mmHg), ≤ 0.001.
The use of a thin silicone gel surface overlay could reduce IP risk for the head by approximately 25%. The reduction in IP risk could have a significant impact in reducing the risk of developing a PU. To ensure maximum benefit, the silicone gel surface overlay should be evaluated to address the specific needs within radiography and radiotherapy planning and treatment settings.
压疮（PU）的发生率对患者，尤其是老年患者、行动不便者以及患有癌症等慢性疾病的患者构成了重大威胁。压疮给医疗当局和患者带来了巨大的经济负担，治疗和管理费用高达数十亿美元。放射成像和放射治疗患者可能会出现与医疗设备相关的（MDR）压疮，研究表明，头部放置在没有床垫的X射线检查台上时，界面压力（IP）值较高。这些高IP值给患者带来了发生压疮的风险，尤其是那些需要长时间进行放射成像/放射学和放射治疗程序的患者。本研究评估了在放射成像程序中使用薄硅胶凝胶表面覆盖物对头部IP值的影响，并确定这是否降低了压疮风险。
使用经过校准的XSENSOR压力垫测量头部在有和没有薄硅胶凝胶表面覆盖物的X射线检查台上的IP值。在进行压力映射之前，评估了硅胶凝胶表面覆盖物对辐射衰减和图像质量的影响。
研究参与者为14名男性（70%）和6名女性（30%），年龄范围为25 - 53岁（平均 = 34.4 ± 7.0）。配对样本t检验结果表明，在没有硅胶凝胶表面覆盖物的X射线检查台上头部的平均IP值（平均 = 83.9 ± 8.2 mmHg）与有凝胶表面覆盖物的X射线检查台上头部的平均IP值（平均 = 62.4 ± 6.1 mmHg）相比，有统计学显著下降，P ≤ 0.001。配对样本t检验结果表明，在没有硅胶凝胶表面覆盖物的X射线检查台上头部的平均峰值压力指数（PPI）（平均 = 205.1 ± 28.2 mmHg）与有凝胶表面覆盖物的X射线检查台上头部的平均PPI（平均 = 159.8 ± 26.8 mmHg）相比，有统计学显著下降，P ≤ 0.001。
使用薄硅胶凝胶表面覆盖物可将头部的IP风险降低约25%。IP风险的降低可能对降低发生压疮的风险产生重大影响。为确保获得最大益处，应评估硅胶凝胶表面覆盖物以满足放射成像和放射治疗计划及治疗环境中的特定需求。
