Pressure-ulcer reduction using low-friction fabric bootees.

At St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, implementation of pressure management measures has reduced the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. There is now a focus on those pressure ulcers still occurring despite these measures, particularly grade 2 ulcers on the heel, which are often attributed to friction and shear. During 2012 and 2013 low friction fabric bootees (Parafricta®) were used on at-risk patients (where possible) to attempt to address this issue. The bootees were first introduced in 2012. There was a decline in heel ulcers of 78% in the 2 years, which accounted for a sizeable portion of the overall decline in all grade 2 pressure ulcers. There was also a substantial change in the ratio of heel to all other grade 2 pressure ulcers, which fell from 0.67 to 0.24. On the basis of heel pressure ulcers avoided, there is an implied net saving to the NHS. The trust concluded that routine use of low-friction fabric bootees made a significant further contribution towards achieving zero harm targets and had done so while providing substantial cost benefits.