Foot Elevator (Foam Ring Only)
- Zero-Pressure Heel Elevation - the circular foam ring supports the lower leg and raises the foot clear of the bed surface, achieving zero-pressure heel elevation for pressure ulcer healing and prevention; the foam ring distributes supporting forces along the calf while the heel is suspended entirely free of contact, consistent with the NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 floating heel requirement.
- Split Design for Easy Fitting - the foam ring incorporates a split to allow easy application and repositioning without requiring full leg lifting; the split design reduces the carer handling required to fit the device, supporting MHOR 1992 safe manual handling practice and enabling quick repositioning during pressure relief turns without disturbing the resident's overall position.
- Foam Ring Only Version - supplied without cover; suitable for settings where individual patient-dedicated use or frequent replacement is the preferred infection control approach; the foam ring can be wipe-cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant or replaced between patient uses where the care home IPC policy requires a cleanable surface on all patient equipment.
- NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 Compliance - suitable for pressure ulcer prevention in high-risk patients and for individuals with Stage I-II heel pressure damage; selection and use under clinical assessment; supports CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) when documented in the tissue viability care plan; available with wipe-clean vapour-permeable cover as NCL-FRDC for infection-control-priority settings.
Foot Elevator Foam Ring Only - Heel Offloading - Split Design
The Foot Elevator (Foam Ring Only) is a circular foam ring designed to raise the foot clear of the bed surface and achieve zero-pressure heel elevation for pressure ulcer prevention and healing. The split design allows easy application and repositioning with minimal carer handling, supporting MHOR 1992 safe practice. Available without cover for patient-dedicated or frequently replaced use. The covered version (NCL-FRDC) provides a wipe-clean, vapour-permeable surface for infection-control-priority settings.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | NCL-FRD |
| Type | Foam ring only (no cover) |
| Design Feature | Split for easy fitting and repositioning |
| Function | Zero-pressure heel elevation |
| Covered Version | NCL-FRDC (foam ring with wipe-clean cover) |
Regulatory Compliance
NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 specify complete heel suspension - the floating heel - as the standard for pressure ulcer prevention at this high-risk site. The foam ring achieves this by raising the foot entirely clear of the bed surface, distributing load along the calf. NHS IPC infection control requirements for patient positioning aids should determine whether the uncovered foam ring version or the wipe-clean cover version (NCL-FRDC) is the appropriate specification for the care setting. CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should include the device in the tissue viability section of the resident care plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should the foam ring without a cover be chosen over the NCL-FRDC cover version?
The foam ring only (NCL-FRD) is appropriate where the device is patient-dedicated and used by a single resident for the duration of the care episode, or where the care home's infection control policy accepts the use of foam devices that are replaced rather than decontaminated between patients. The NCL-FRDC with wipe-clean vapour-permeable cover is appropriate where NHS IPC policy requires a decontaminatable surface on all patient equipment, or where the device will be shared or reissued between patients following decontamination. The clinical team and infection control lead should determine the appropriate version based on local IPC policy.
How should the foam ring be cleaned between uses?
The foam ring without a cover should be inspected for soiling and physical integrity before each use. Where the ring has been in contact with wound exudate or body fluids, it should be replaced rather than decontaminated, as foam materials cannot be reliably cleaned to infection control standards once contaminated with biological material. Where the ring is used as a patient-dedicated aid with an intact, uncontaminated surface, it may be wiped with an approved disinfectant compatible with foam materials. Disposal and replacement should be documented in the care home equipment records per CQC Regulation 12 maintenance obligations.
NCL-FRD
Viewed products
- Zero-Pressure Heel Elevation - the circular foam ring supports the lower leg and raises the foot clear of the bed surface, achieving zero-pressure heel elevation for pressure ulcer healing and prevention; the foam ring distributes supporting forces along the calf while the heel is suspended entirely free of contact, consistent with the NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 floating heel requirement.
- Split Design for Easy Fitting - the foam ring incorporates a split to allow easy application and repositioning without requiring full leg lifting; the split design reduces the carer handling required to fit the device, supporting MHOR 1992 safe manual handling practice and enabling quick repositioning during pressure relief turns without disturbing the resident's overall position.
- Foam Ring Only Version - supplied without cover; suitable for settings where individual patient-dedicated use or frequent replacement is the preferred infection control approach; the foam ring can be wipe-cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant or replaced between patient uses where the care home IPC policy requires a cleanable surface on all patient equipment.
- NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 Compliance - suitable for pressure ulcer prevention in high-risk patients and for individuals with Stage I-II heel pressure damage; selection and use under clinical assessment; supports CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) when documented in the tissue viability care plan; available with wipe-clean vapour-permeable cover as NCL-FRDC for infection-control-priority settings.