Healing in her hands as research project a big hit
When pressure is applied to an area of skin over a short period of time, it becomes starved of oxygen and can form ulcers. But these sores could be a thing of the past thanks to one clever engineer
Aresearch project by a specialist engineer could help patients suffering from debilitating pressure sores.
The Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Intervention Service (PUPIS) at Morriston Hospital investigates why patients have developed pressure ulcers or why they are not healing.
Rehabilitation engineer Zoe Hadley, a key figure in the service, received a distinction for her Master’s dissertation from Cardiff University.
But it was more than just an academic exercise, as Zoe’s project – which involved evaluating a 3D camera used to monitor pressure ulcer healing – could bring very real benefits for patients.
She created guidelines for using the camera to measure pressure ulcer wounds, which could objectively assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Head of rehabilitation engineering Dr Lorna Tasker said: “Zoe’s work could improve the future care of people with pressure ulcers.
“The guidelines can provide a more scientific approach to the monitoring of healing to complement the nurse’s expertise.
“We can use this to increase our knowledge of pressure ulcers.”
Pressure ulcers are sometimes known as bedsores or pressure sores, and are caused when an area of skin is placed under pressure.
The skin and underlying tissue can break down, ranging in severity from discoloured skin to open wounds.
Dr Tasker said: “Pressure ulcers are very serious. Not only the financial cost, but the cost to the individual is massive.
“People with pressure ulcers could be in bed for weeks or months at a time. That has major implications on wellbeing and quality of life.”
The PUPIS service is provided by rehabilitation engineering, a section of medical physics and clinical engineering.
The team provides expert advice to prevent pressure ulcers getting worse and to promote healing without surgery – in some cases designing and making bespoke cushions or supports to encourage this.
Zoe, who started with the team four years ago as a trainee, spent a year working on her MSc dissertation.
She said: “I found it interesting to learn about the different types of tissue within a pressure ulcer wound.
“As a result I now have a better understanding of the clinical nurse assessments of pressure ulcers.
“That helps me as an engineer within the service to identify a solution to help the pressure ulcer improve.”
Although Zoe’s guidelines were for a specific 3D camera they can also be applied to other models.
As a result the team is in talks with the manufacturer of another camera, which is more portable and easier to use.
Dr Tasker said: “These cameras could potentially allow community nurses to take pictures and send the images to us, allowing us to become aware of changes more quickly.
“That may be some years away, but it could be used to screen patients to decide who needs to be seen most urgently. The implications are significant in terms of the benefit to patients.”
Zoe’s achievement is excellent recognition and a reflection of her hard work.