Medical lambskins for decubitus prophylaxis
Extract from a study carried out by the German Institute for Care Aid Research and Treatment. We can of course provide the full study.
The results
The results are shown here in tabular form:
Summary
In group A (without medical lambskin, n = 48) there were marked changes in the dermal layers of the skin in terms of oedema and blistering, the blood flow changed in that it was possible to detect an insufficient blood supply in the lower layers and there was a huge increase in skin reddening on the heels.
In contrast, the results obtained in group B (with medical lambskin, n = 42) all remained more or less as they were at the outset; only skin reddening increased by approx. 33%.
In group C (with artificial fur, n = 68) all the signs of decubital ulcers developing were particularly pronounced; the ultrasound scans and blood circulation tests differed widely from the results of group B, 6 decubital ulcers were identified and the temperature development on the artificial furs was also shown to be significantly greater than on the genuine skins.
It was established that genuine lambskins are highly effective in supporting decubitus prophylaxis on the heels of the occupants who displayed very restless motor functions. They are vastly superior to "artificial furs".
The study was carried out using medical lambskins produced by the company Werner Christ GmbH in Gondershausen, Germany, which are sold under the name of "Sanofell" in specialist shops.
Extract from a study carried out by the German Institute for Care Aid Research and Treatment. We can of course provide the full study.
The results
The results are shown here in tabular form:
| Method | Group A (without fur) n = 71 | Group B (with lambskin) n = 56 | Group C (artificial fur) n = 68 |
| PMH index | far higher than 7 for all occupants during the measuring times (mean 8.7) | ||
| Ultrasound scan Day 1 |
nothing particularly noticeable on the heels | ||
| Day 4 | slight oedematous, but diffuse changes detectable | no changes compared with the findings on admission on the first day | slight oedematous, but diffuse changes detectable |
| Day 7 | marked changes in terms of oedema and blistering | no changes compared with the findings on admission on the first day | even more marked changes in terms of oedema and blistering than with group A, 6 open decubital ulcers, stage 2 |
| Blood flow measurement | marked changes in terms of hyperaemia | no changes detectable | very pronounced changes in terms of hyperaemia |
| Skin reddening | increase by approx. 70% | increase by approx. 33% | increase by approx. 87% |
| Thermography | approx. 30,5° C | approx. 29° C | approx. 32° C |
Summary
In group A (without medical lambskin, n = 48) there were marked changes in the dermal layers of the skin in terms of oedema and blistering, the blood flow changed in that it was possible to detect an insufficient blood supply in the lower layers and there was a huge increase in skin reddening on the heels.
In contrast, the results obtained in group B (with medical lambskin, n = 42) all remained more or less as they were at the outset; only skin reddening increased by approx. 33%.
In group C (with artificial fur, n = 68) all the signs of decubital ulcers developing were particularly pronounced; the ultrasound scans and blood circulation tests differed widely from the results of group B, 6 decubital ulcers were identified and the temperature development on the artificial furs was also shown to be significantly greater than on the genuine skins.
It was established that genuine lambskins are highly effective in supporting decubitus prophylaxis on the heels of the occupants who displayed very restless motor functions. They are vastly superior to "artificial furs".
The study was carried out using medical lambskins produced by the company Werner Christ GmbH in Gondershausen, Germany, which are sold under the name of "Sanofell" in specialist shops.