Heel Pad - Targeted heel protection for comfort, pressure care, and skin integrity.
- Wearable Heel Pad for Targeted Pressure and Friction Protection - the Heel Pad is worn directly on the heel, secured by hook-and-loop strapping that holds the pad in position over the calcaneal contact zone throughout the repositioning interval; the wearable design provides targeted protection at the heel surface regardless of the resident's position and limb movement, unlike a positioned support cushion that requires the limb to remain on the cushion surface to provide protection; this makes it particularly practical for residents with active leg movements who tend to move their heel off positioned supports.
- VP Cover for Skin Microclimate Management - the vapour-permeable cover allows moisture vapour to escape from the heel contact surface through the pad cover, maintaining a drier microclimate between the pad and the skin than would occur with a non-permeable cover; in a wearable pad worn against the heel skin for extended periods, moisture accumulation from perspiration and the warmth of the enclosure is a risk factor for skin maceration, which contributes to skin breakdown alongside pressure and friction; the VP cover mitigates this risk.
- Hook-and-Loop Strapping for Adjustable Secure Fit - the hook-and-loop fastening system allows the pad to be secured at different tension levels to accommodate different ankle and foot sizes, and to be removed and reapplied without specialist knowledge during pad cleaning or skin inspection; the strapping must be confirmed correctly tensioned before use - too loose and the pad may rotate away from the calcaneal zone; too tight and the strapping itself may create pressure at the strap edges on the dorsal foot surface.
- Heel Pressure Ulcer Prevention - NICE CG179 - NCL-HFP126 - the Heel Pad is a first-level wearable intervention for residents at risk of heel pressure damage who are ambulatory or semi-ambulatory and who cannot tolerate or do not require a full positioned support system; the clinical indication and pad fit must be assessed by the occupational therapist or tissue viability nurse per NICE CG179; the pad must be removed and the skin inspected at each nursing visit; product code NCL-HFP126.
Heel Pad - Wearable - Hook-and-Loop Strapping - VP Cover - Pressure and Friction Protection
The Heel Pad is a wearable heel protection device secured by hook-and-loop strapping, providing targeted heel pressure and friction protection during repositioning intervals and movement. The vapour-permeable cover maintains skin microclimate by allowing moisture vapour to escape from the contact zone. Indicated for residents at risk of heel pressure damage across all positions and mobility levels. Skin must be inspected at each nursing visit. NICE CG179. NCL-HFP126.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Wearable heel pad - worn directly on the heel |
| Fastening | Hook-and-loop strapping - adjustable; secure fit |
| Cover | Vapour-permeable for skin microclimate management |
| Clinical Function | Heel pressure reduction; friction and shear prevention |
| Reference | NCL-HFP126 |
| Regulatory Status | MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device |
Regulatory Compliance
The Heel Pad is a Class I medical device under MDR 2017/745. Clinical selection requires occupational therapist or tissue viability assessment per NICE CG179. The pad must be removed and the skin inspected at each nursing visit; failure to inspect creates a risk that skin damage beneath the pad goes undetected. The strap tension must be confirmed at each application to prevent both pad displacement and strap-edge pressure. Equipment register records and MDR conformity documentation must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How frequently should the Heel Pad be removed for skin inspection, and what signs indicate a problem?
The Heel Pad must be removed for skin inspection at every nursing visit as a minimum - the heel skin cannot be assessed while the pad is in place, and any pressure injury developing beneath the pad will be invisible until it has progressed to a stage detectable through the surrounding tissue changes or symptoms. The inspection frequency should match the resident's assessed pressure ulcer risk level: high-risk residents should have their heels inspected at every repositioning turn, which for many care home residents is every 2-4 hours. The skin inspection looks for: persistent erythema that does not blanch (non-blanching redness, indicating early category 1 pressure injury); skin discolouration, warmth, or oedema; any skin break or blister; and maceration or moisture damage from the contact with the pad. If any of these signs are observed, the tissue viability nurse must be informed immediately, the pad use must be reviewed, and the care plan must be updated with the new wound care protocol. The fact that the pad is in use must not be mistaken for a guarantee that the skin is protected; assessment of actual skin condition remains the clinical priority.
Can the Heel Pad be used simultaneously with a positioned heel support cushion or wedge?
The Heel Pad and a positioned support cushion can in principle be used simultaneously, but the clinical rationale for combining them must be assessed. If a positioned support cushion is in use and correctly achieving heel offloading, the Heel Pad adds limited additional clinical benefit at the calcaneus since the heel is already lifted or supported; using both simultaneously may be appropriate for a resident who transitions between positioned support in bed (where the cushion or wedge is in place) and periods of sitting in a chair (where the positioned cushion is removed but the wearable pad remains on the foot). In this case, the two products serve different positional contexts rather than operating simultaneously at the same anatomical zone. If both are applied simultaneously, the care team must confirm that the pad strapping does not interact with the cushion's surface in a way that creates pressure at the strap edge, and that the clinical logic for the combined use is documented in the care plan by the occupational therapist.
NCL-HFP126
- Wearable Heel Pad for Targeted Pressure and Friction Protection - the Heel Pad is worn directly on the heel, secured by hook-and-loop strapping that holds the pad in position over the calcaneal contact zone throughout the repositioning interval; the wearable design provides targeted protection at the heel surface regardless of the resident's position and limb movement, unlike a positioned support cushion that requires the limb to remain on the cushion surface to provide protection; this makes it particularly practical for residents with active leg movements who tend to move their heel off positioned supports.
- VP Cover for Skin Microclimate Management - the vapour-permeable cover allows moisture vapour to escape from the heel contact surface through the pad cover, maintaining a drier microclimate between the pad and the skin than would occur with a non-permeable cover; in a wearable pad worn against the heel skin for extended periods, moisture accumulation from perspiration and the warmth of the enclosure is a risk factor for skin maceration, which contributes to skin breakdown alongside pressure and friction; the VP cover mitigates this risk.
- Hook-and-Loop Strapping for Adjustable Secure Fit - the hook-and-loop fastening system allows the pad to be secured at different tension levels to accommodate different ankle and foot sizes, and to be removed and reapplied without specialist knowledge during pad cleaning or skin inspection; the strapping must be confirmed correctly tensioned before use - too loose and the pad may rotate away from the calcaneal zone; too tight and the strapping itself may create pressure at the strap edges on the dorsal foot surface.
- Heel Pressure Ulcer Prevention - NICE CG179 - NCL-HFP126 - the Heel Pad is a first-level wearable intervention for residents at risk of heel pressure damage who are ambulatory or semi-ambulatory and who cannot tolerate or do not require a full positioned support system; the clinical indication and pad fit must be assessed by the occupational therapist or tissue viability nurse per NICE CG179; the pad must be removed and the skin inspected at each nursing visit; product code NCL-HFP126.