SILVER CARE BASIC ® FACILITY WIDE CASE STUDY:

Decreasing Pain, Improving Skin Health,
Infection Control, and Quality of Life
50+ Bed Genesis Healthcare Facility, West Virginia

Facility ordered 24 Silver Care Basic cushions in a 30 day time period. Cushions were issued to pts,
both skilled to home and LTC residents, who needed a general use cushion. The building previously
had these residents on a foam cushion.

Clinical Outcomes: Decreased pain, decreased skin integrity concerns, increased time OOB,
increased QOL, increased infection control
Increased comfort was noted globally with pts compared to their comfort previously on foam
cushions. The facility noted that all of the pts who were able to verbalize pain, verbalized a decrease
in hip and back pain when changed from foam cushion to the Silver Care Basic cushion.
The facility noted a decrease in skin integrity concerns. Specifically, they had 2 residents who
refused the utilization of foam cushions. When the Silver Care Basic cushion was issued to these
pts, they agreed to use them as an intervention and are now at lower risk for maceration, shear,
friction, and pressure injuries.
The facility noted an increase in patient time out of bed. The pts are now able to increase time OOB
doing leisure activities because they have a decrease in pain! Staff reports an increase in attendance
of activities offered at the facility.
Staff feel that there is improved QOL due to decreased pain and increased time out of bed
performing leisure activities and interacting with peers.
The facility also notes a decrease in odor, directly resulting from the decreased number of foam
cushions that are soaked in urine. This leads to improved dignity for pts and improved infection
control for the building.

Quality Outcome Measures Impacted by Intervention: Pain, QOL

Feedback from GRS Therapist: “We have seen an increased quality of life for our residents who are
on the Silver Care Basic cushion vs foam cushions. We have also seen better carryover with facility
staff as the pts are all on the same cushion and everyone knows how to care for the cushion. I prefer
the Silver Care Basic over foam cushions.”

Feedback from Genesis Executive Director: “I enjoy the improved infection control properties of
this Silver Care Basic cushion compared to foam cushions as we can launder the cushion. Our
patients have truly enjoyed the Silver Care Basic cushions compared to foam cushions.”

 

Note: This is a representative example; actual user evaluations, and decisions regarding
the appropriateness of a particular product for a particular individual, should always be made by a
qualified healthcare professional.

CASE STUDY

Matrix, Position Pro, Space Saver Back Support
Pain Reduction, Rx Reduction, ADL Improvement

100+ Bed Skilled Nursing Facility
Genesis Rehab Services Contracted

Patient: 66 y/o male

Primary Diagnosis: UE and LB pain, onset of pneumonia, aspiration, pneumonia

Existing Wheelchair Seating: Standard sling seat wheelchair and a foam cushion

Positioning / Clinical Issues: Pt was presenting with severe back pain reporting 10/10
and required scheduled Oxycontin (3 pills) TID. Pain greatly affected pt’s sitting
tolerance and limited his ability to be upright in a WC to 3 hours. Most days, pt only
tolerated being up for meals. The combination of pain and decreased sitting tolerance
significantly limited pt’s ability to participate in activites of daily living, rehab and/or
leisure pursuits.
Pt was also not able to tolerate standing for any period of time due to pain and
decreased LE/core strength. He was dependent on a hoyer lift to complete all functional
transfers.

PostureWorks Intervention: Matrix Medium Profile Cushion, Position Pro Insert, Space
Saver Back Support

Outcome: Combined interventions provided optimal pressure redistubution in both the sling seat
and sling back of pt’s seating system. Pt began to report a decline in pain which allowed
a reduction in Oxycontin to 2 pills TID. At best, pain decreased from 10/10 to 0/10. As a
result, pt was able to sit up in WC up to 6 hours, and pt was able to tolerate an increase
in therapy.
Patient’s motivation enabled him to participate in both PT and OT at an Ultra High RUG
level, which allowed the patient and therapy to reach goals that they were unable to
reach prior to the positioning intervention. Improved functional limitations and disabilities
that were addressed included a decrease in pain and an increase in strength, balance,
and standing tolerance.
Upon time of DC, pt completed slide board transfers at stand by assist and achieved
increased static supported standing tolerance from 0 minutes to 30 minutes. Pt now
requires less caregiver assistance without the need for the Hoyer lift to complete
functional transfers. Pt is now also able to engage in leisure pursuits that are positively
impacting his quality of life.

 

Quality Outcome Measures Impacted by Intervention: Pain, Rx Reduction, ADLs,
Quality of Life

 

Feedback from Patient: “ My back feels so much better. The back support really helps
to relieve a lot of my low back pain. Because of my cushion, my bottom pain is clearing
up a lot, and I don’t have to lay down to take pressure off of it. Due to the excellent work
of my therapists my back pain has decreased quite a bit allowing me to stand longer and
to complete slide board transfers. I can also sit on the edge of the bed without low back
pain, which I couldn’t do before.”

 

Note: This is a representative example; actual user evaluations, and decisions regarding the
appropriateness of a particular product for a particular individual, should always be made by a
qualified healthcare professional.