Project Description
The Heel Manager™
Features
Fully offloads heels with skin-friendly design
Extreme comfort and support for both legs
Wider – up to 30% more surface area
Incorporated from our high-end support surfaces
Helps offset the effects of “microshearing”
Provides overall stability while offsetting friction
Helps to disperse heat and moisture away from skin into atmosphere
Layer of air assists in pressure management
Enhances foam conformance to the body
High resiliency UHP 500™ foam layer provides a 55% higher Support Factor than typical medical grade foams
Span-America Products
The Heel Manager™
Heel Offloading Elevator with high-end support features for care of damaged, weakened skin
Effective offloading is essential for the care of the bony prominence in the heel – one of long-term care’s vulnerable tissue sites. In addition to fully offloading both heels, the Span-America Heel Manager’s gentle slope aids in circulation – key for patients with diabetes, neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease. The 30 percent larger, tissue-friendly, dual layer design with ultra-high performance foam supports the calves with new levels of comfort and stability.
As the second most common pressure ulcer site, heels require special attention and care. Heel ulcers can lead to serious complications, increase healthcare costs and lead to regulatory ramifications (i.e., compliance issues with F-314).
National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) directive: “Ensure that the heels are free of the surface of the bed. Heel-protection devices should elevate the heel completely (offload them) in such a way as to distribute the weight of the leg along the calf.”
“Total heel offloading is the only effective method for heel ulcer prevention.” 2“Heel ulcers are the most common facility-acquired pressure ulcer in long-term acute care facilities and second most common pressure ulcer overall.” 3
There are many products available to protect heels. None provides the combination of superior design features delivered by Heel Manager™:
• Fully offloads heels with skin-friendly design
• Extreme comfort and support for both legs
• Wider – up to 30% more surface area
• Shear Transfer Zone® cover technology
• Heat and moisture reduction capabilities
2, 3 “Practice Recommendations for Preventing Heel Pressure Ulcers.” Evonne Fowler, RN, CNS, CWOCN; Suzy Scott-Williams, MSN, RN, CWOCN, and James B. McGuire, DPM, PT, CPed, DWS, FAPWCA: Ostomy Wound Management October 2008-54(10):42-57