Exploring Key Factors Required for Hybrid Systems: Analysis of a Focus Group

Background: There is a continued focus in healthcare that NHS Trusts must make cost savings while ensuring quality and productivity is not adversely affected. It is essential that health care professionals have access to pressure reduction/redistributing equipment that is evidence based and can promote skin integrity via adequate reduction of excessive pressures and/or shearing forces. This paper presents the results of a focus group exploring perceptions of a new hybrid mattress and its application to clinical practice. Hybrid systems are increasingly being used in clinical practice to assist in the prevention and management of pressure ulcers (PUs). Innova Care Concepts have launched a new hybrid system, The Solment Serene.
Methods: A focus group design was used involving 5 Tissue Viability Key Opinion Leaders including an academic, infection control and tissue viability specialists. All data was recorded and transcribed verbatim, data generated was analyzed thematically. Confidentiality and anonymity was assured.
Results: Four key themes were identified; (1) patient suitability, (2) Ease of Use and Effectiveness, (3) the importance of inter-professional working and (4) Loss of Equipment - Promotion of cost effectiveness
Conclusions: The consensus was that there is a growing place for hybrid systems in preventing and managing pressure damage effectively. Health and social care should work inter-professionally to improve patient outcomes. The development of a flowchart based on scientific evidence was recommended to assist in the decision making of appropriate equipment.