title: [Comparison of efficacy of heel ulcer prevention between classic padded bandage and polyurethane heel in a medium-stay hospital: randomized controlled trial].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study is to determine the incidence of heel pressure ulcers (UPPT) and to compare the two systems for UPPT prevention: classic padded bandage and polyurethane heel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective intervention study in a medium-long hospital stay of all people admitted that had no UPPT but had a risk of UPPT according to the Braden Scale or clinical judgment. The patients were randomized to prevention with classic padded bandage or polyurethane heel. The outcome variable was the incidence of UPPT for each study group, which was recorded every 15 days or when there were clinical changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 940 patients evaluated, 409 with a mean age of 80.5 years and 59.1% women,were included in the study. Of these, 78% had Barthel score ≤30; 28.6% dementia; delirium 37.6%; 27.6% diabetes; and 19.6% other UPP. The overall incidence was 2.9% UPPT; 2.49% in the classic padded bandage and 3.37% in the polyurethane heel group (p=0.82).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No statistically significant differences were observed between the group with the classical dressing and the group with the polyurethane heel dressing. The use of multiple measures to prevent UPPT achieved a low incidence of these.
authors.affiliation: Hospital de la Santa Creu, Vic, Barcelona, España. mferrer@hsc.chv.cat
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrer Solà
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espaulella Panicot
authors.forename: Jacint
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Altimires Roset
authors.forename: Elisenda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ylla-Català Borè
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreno Susi
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D005260:Female; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006365:Heel; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes