19th December 2006

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A major study by a University of Ulster Special Research Fellow which investigated ways to prevent pressure ulcers in elderly or acutely ill patients could result in substantial savings for the health care providers.   

Jeannie Donnelly, a mother of two from Bangor, graduate thsi week with a PhD in Nursing at the University of Ulster winter graduation ceremonies at Jordanstown.

A Tissue Viability Nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, she was awarded R&D Special Nursing Fellowship in 2002 to undertake her doctorate research.

“Elderly and acutely ill patients are at high risk of developing heel pressure ulcers and there are huge human and financial costs. These not only cause a great deal of pain for the patient and can be associated with serious morbidity but they are very expensive to treat.

“The incidence of pressure damage on heels appears to be on the increase - from 19% in 1989 to 30% in 2001. The population is getting older and there is a growing number of elderly frail people so it is very important that practitioners ensure they receive cost-effective preventive care,” said Jeannie.

A number of different methods are currently used to protect the heel and as part of her research Jeannie conducted a series of randomised controlled trials comparing the benefits of heel elevation using a commercially available foam splint with pressure relieving support mattresses.

The results showed that - despite difficulties with using the foam splint which some patients found to be bulky and unacceptably warm, heels which were elevated were less likely to develop ulcer damage than those that were not elevated.

Jeannie hopes to work on the design of a special boot to elevate and change pressure on the heel which would be more acceptable to patients and which in the longer term could be made available commercially. 

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young