Medical
Grade Sheepskin to be added to SWEP picklist
The
Statewide Equipment Program (SWEP) is committed to providing consumers with
access to a range of assistive technology items that are evidence based and
suitable for various environments and presenting scenarios.
In
response to clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of medical grade
sheepskin for the prevention of pressure injury, we are adding this item to our
quotable picklist. You will now be able to find this item available under Seating - T1.11 and Bedding - B2.7
AT Practitioners will need to ensure that items requested are in fact medical grade sheepskin, and this detail will need to be clearly indicated on quotes provided. SWEP will only fund sheepskins that are dark green in colour and have the standards stamp or tag to indicate they are compliant with the high-temperature AS4480.1 medical grade sheepskin standard. AT Practitioners will need to ensure that items requested are in fact medical grade sheepskin, and this detail will need to be clearly indicated on quotes provided. SWEP will only fund sheepskins that are dark green in colour and have the standards stamp or tag to indicate they are compliant with the high-temperature AS4480.1 medical grade sheepskin standard.
The pressure
care subsidy can be utilised for this item.
Uses for medical grade sheepskin may include mattress overlays, cushion overlays, booties or padding to protect vulnerable skin.
Clinical reasoning and risk assessment
As with all pressure care strategies, medical grade
sheepskin is not a one size fits all solution. There are multiple factors to be
considered about the consumer and the environment where the sheepskin is to be
used. SWEP would like to stress that it views medical grade sheepskin as most
appropriate for use in situations where a low pressure injury risk has been
identified. It is rarely, if ever, appropriate for open wounds or situations
assessed as being moderate or high pressure injury risk.
Prior to requesting a medical grade sheepskin item, SWEP expects AT practitioners to complete a thorough pressure care risk assessment. This could involve using a scale such as the Braden or Waterlow assessment tool. You will also need to assess:
To reflect the higher level of clinical decision making that is required to ensure that medical grade sheepskin is being used appropriately, these items have been rated as Amber. As with all applications through SWEP, if consumer attributes are significant and complex the overall rating of the application may be increased to red.
Evidence
supporting this addition
A Cochrane Systematic Review (2015) concluded that " medical grade sheepskins are associated with a decrease in pressure ulcer development "(reference 1). A number of randomised clinical trials have showed decreased rates of pressure ulcers through use of a medical grade sheepskin mattress overlay (references 2, 3 and 4).
The 2014 Clinical
Practice Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers (reference
5) state that pressure, shear, heat, and moisture are significant contributing
factors for tissue breakdown. A report by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
(MHRA) showed medical grade sheepskin to perform
favourably to address these factors (reference 6).
SWEP
will be monitoring the funding of medical grade sheepskin as a solution for
pressure related risks, including the situations in which it is requested.
SWEP welcomes your feedback on this change, as well as further evidence or concerns which you feel need to be considered as part of bringing these items onto the picklist.
For
any queries or if you would like to provide feedback please email swepcaho@bhs.org.au
Regards
Donna Markham
Chief Allied Health Officer