Parafricta fabric prevents bed sores and other skin problems caused by friction

The Parafricta® Bootees were used on an 84-year-old gentleman who had restricted mobility and was maintained in bed on a pressure-relieving surface. He had necrotic pressure ulcers on both heels approximately 5 cm x 6 cm. The gentleman was of healthy weight for height ratio, however was nutritionally compromised. The wound was infected and antibiotics were prescribed. The patient was Diabetic.

Parafricta® bootees were used in order to assist in dressing retention as the gentleman wriggled his feet constantly causing “rucking up” of the dressings resulting in frequent dressing changes even though they were secured with bandages.

Allevyn Heel dressings with hydrogel were used and expected to remain in situ for 2 days at a time in between inspection of the wound, however in reality the dressing changes were carried out 6 times over a period of 4 days within the first week of treatment.

The Parafricta® Bootees were easy and convenient to apply and comfortable for the patient. The nature of the fabric also meant that the gentleman’s use of his heels to push himself up the bed lessened which was desirable.

Overall the Parafricta® Bootees significantly reduced clinician time in dressing changes, and reduced dressing changes to alternate days resulting in greater cost effectiveness, i.e. less dressings used and less clinician time. This also improved patient quality of life as dressing changes were carried out only when medically indicated and not because the dressing had been rubbed off. This meant that the gentleman had an improved rate of debridement, preparing the wounds for healing and prevented unnecessary damage to peri-wound delicate skin. The patient was discharged to a community hospital and became unavailable for further follow up to report on the outcome of the wounds.

C.H., Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist