Pressure sores, also known as pressure injuries or bedsores, are localised damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure. They commonly develop over bony areas such as the hips, tailbone, heels, and elbows. These injuries are a significant concern across hospitals, aged care, and home care settings—especially for individuals with limited or impaired mobility.
Understanding Pressure Sores
Pressure sores occur when sustained pressure restricts blood flow to the skin, leading to tissue damage and, in severe cases, necrosis. They are categorised into four stages:
- Stage I: Non-blanchable redness of the skin
- Stage II: Partial-thickness skin loss with blistering or shallow ulcer
- Stage III: Full-thickness skin loss with damage to the underlying tissue
- Stage IV: Severe tissue loss with exposed muscle or bone
Who is at risk?
People who are elderly, disabled, or temporarily immobilised—such as post-surgical or injury recovery patients—are particularly vulnerable. Additional risk factors include incontinence, poor nutrition, and reduced circulation.
The Cost of Pressure Injuries in Australia
In addition to the personal toll on patients, pressure injuries create a substantial burden on the healthcare system. A 2020 study estimated the annual cost of pressure injuries in Australian public hospitals at over $9.11 billion, considering both treatment costs and extended hospital stays. These figures underscore the importance of early prevention through education, monitoring, and appropriate equipment. That is where products like those supplied by Safety and Mobility can make a meaningful difference to pressure sore care and prevention.
Air Comfort Products: A Preventive Approach
Modern pressure care equipment plays a vital role in mitigating risk by improving pressure redistribution and promoting skin integrity. Air comfort products, such as alternating pressure overlays, hybrid mattresses, and pressure care cushions, are widely used to prevent the formation of pressure sores. Safety and Mobility’s pressure care range has been developed in conjunction with experts in manufacturing, occupational therapists and market research insights to design and create truly high quality and effective pressure care equipment.
Alternating Pressure Overlays
These overlays work by rhythmically inflating and deflating air cells using an adjustable electrical pump, relieving pressure from vulnerable areas and stimulating circulation. Positioned on top of an existing mattress, they are ideal for patients who are bedridden or have minimal mobility, these systems help prevent the continuous pressure that leads to skin breakdown. Used extensively in leading Australian healthcare and community settings, Safety and Mobility’s custom range of alternating overlays include the York, Kent and Eton. These simple-to-use pieces of equipment are reliable and crucial for those at risk of pressure injuries and can be adjusted to suit an individual user’s needs making them ideal for environments where multiple individuals with varying needs may require pressure care or on an individual basis where pressure care may need to be attuned to a specific individual.
Hybrid Mattresses
Newer to the pressure care market, hybrid mattresses combine supportive foam with air cell technology to offer a dual-action approach that replaces an existing mattress. The foam provides stability and comfort, while the air cells deliver dynamic pressure relief. These mattresses are suitable for a wide range of mobility levels and care settings and can suit a wide variety of needs with multiple settings. Safety and Mobility supply a British designed and manufactured hybrid mattress – The Otley – into Australia where it has seen great uptake across many healthcare and community customers. What makes the Otley stand out, is its ability to be used with or without a pump depending on the user’s needs.
Pressure Care Solutions from Safety and Mobility
In addition the pressure care equipment designed for a bed, Safety and Mobility offers a range of other pressure care products to support both patient comfort and clinical outcomes including cushions and chairs.
Pressure care cushions are ideal for wheelchair users or those who spend significant time seated in a chair without pressure relief features. These portable, cost effective and discrete pressure care items are important additions to pressure injury prevention and management protocols. Safety and Mobility are proud to have designed and manufactured two types of cushions, the Gelina and Dover which are discussed in greater detail below.
Gelina Pressure Care Cushion
One of our top-selling and longest running lines, the Gelina Pressure Care Cushion is recommended for medium-risk users. It is a simple, yet highly effective addition to an individual’s pressure care management plan and is well-loved by clinicians and user’s alike. This cushion features:
- Visco-elastic memory foam with a gel insert for pressure distribution
- Waterproof, breathable two-way stretch cover
- AEGIS antibacterial protection
- Welded seams for infection control and moisture resistance
- Coccyx cut-out for spinal alignment and comfort
Dover Pressure Care Cushion
Newer to our range, but a trusted design that is well-known for its pressure care properties, the Dover Pressure Care Cushion is ideal for medium-to-high-risk patients. It can be customised for different users or adjusted throughout the day for an individual with varying needs. Its features include:
- Air-cell based inflatable cushion design for tailored pressure support
- Durable, machine-washable cover
- Lightweight and portable for use across multiple settings
Both the Gelina and Dover Pressure Care Cushions are ideal for use with wheelchairs or other structured, firm chairs including dining chairs.
Deluxe V2 Chair Range
Chairs that are specifically designed for users who remain seated for extended time periods are often the optimal choice to prevent and manage pressure sores. These chairs, sometimes known as “water chairs”, “fall out chairs” and “air chairs” feature air cells and multiple adjustment points to ensure proper support and comfort. The Deluxe V2 range is most suited to healthcare and acute care settings where a carer assists them in and out of the chair. Further features of the Deluxe V2 Chair include:
- Fully adjustable back, seat, and leg rest components
- Airgonomic™ seating system with air cell immersion technology
- Carrflex Extreme multi-stretch, breathable upholstery
- Tray table
Best Practices for Pressure Injury Prevention
To optimise the use of pressure care products:
✅ Conduct regular skin checks, particularly on high-risk areas
✅ Reposition patients frequently to avoid prolonged pressure on any one area
✅ Ensure product maintenance (e.g., properly inflated air cells, clean covers)
✅ Consult with clinical specialists to match products to patient-specific risk levels
Conclusion
Pressure sores are preventable yet remain a costly and painful reality in many healthcare environments. With the right mix of education, monitoring, and pressure care products, such as those offered by Safety and Mobility, it’s possible to dramatically reduce the incidence of pressure injuries and improve patient comfort and outcomes. Investing in proven products like the Gelina and Dover cushions or the Deluxe V2 chair range is a step toward safer, more dignified care.
FAQs
A risk assessment by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional is the best way to determine the most appropriate cushion. Factors include mobility level, weight, continence status, and history of pressure injuries.
Yes. Products like the Gelina and Dover cushions are designed to be versatile and portable, making them ideal for hospitals, aged care facilities, or at-home care environments.
Patients with limited mobility should be repositioned at least every 2 hours, or as recommended by a clinician. This frequency may vary depending on individual risk levels and the type of support surface in use.
Photo by Marcus Aurelius: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-red-sweater-wearing-black-framed-eyeglasses-sitting-on-wheelchair-4063789/