Evidence Summary: Pressure Injuries: Preventing heel pressure injuries with prophylactic dressings

Abstract

Heels are a common anatomical location in which PIs occur. Due to their small surface area and minimal tissue protection over the bony prominence, interface pressure at the heel is high when an individual is lying in bed, particularly when that individual has reduced mobility1 (Level 3.c evidence). There is evidence to indicate that suspending the heels using a foam cushion block2 or heel suspension boots2-4 reduces the incidence of heel PIs (Level 1.c evidence). Show more