Heel Protectors for Bed Sores: A Basic Guide for Prevention

Heel protectors designed to prevent bed sores are great options for at-risk patients, whether they’re in a hospital acute care environment, a long-term care facility or at home.

Heel protectors that provide complete pressure offloading are an important part of bed sore prevention plans along with such practices as:

• Regular and proper use of the protectors
• Routine maintenance and cleaning of the protectors
• Gentle washing of the patient’s skin with mild soap and warm water
• Protection of dry skin with regular applications of lotion
• Daily skin inspections to look for vulnerable areas or early signs of Stage I bed sores
• Patient movement and repositioning
• Dietary changes to help keep skin healthy
• Adequate hydration for the patient
• Exercises that will help the patient stay appropriately active

The regular performance of these basic practices, in combination with the appropriate use of a professional heel offloading device, can effectively reduce the chance of bed sores occurring in at-risk patients.

Without an appropriate prevention and treatment plan in place, bed sores can easily worsen and, left untreated, cause:

• Sepsis
• Abscess
• Infections of the joint or bone
• Amputations
• Death

As part of a prevention regimen to avoid such outcomes, Heelift^® Suspension Boot is an excellent and inexpensive choice as an appropriate heel offloading device. Heelift fulfills the traditional expectations for heel protectors by providing a zero pressure environment to prevent and treat bed sores while cradling the patient’s calf in soft foam.

Click here to download DM Systems’ Wound Care Brochure which details our Heelift line. Or contact us now to learn more about Heelift’s comfortable, effective heel offloading devices.