Foot Elevator (Foam ring with wipe-clean cover)
- Wipe-Clean Vapour-Permeable Cover - wipe-clean, vapour-permeable cover allows moisture vapour to pass away from the skin surface while providing an NHS IPC-compatible outer surface that can be decontaminated with a clinical disinfectant wipe between patient uses; the cover makes this version the appropriate specification for infection-control-priority care environments over the uncovered foam ring (NCL-FRD).
- Zero-Pressure Heel Elevation - the circular foam ring with cover raises the foot entirely clear of the bed surface, achieving zero-pressure heel elevation consistent with the NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 floating heel requirement for pressure ulcer prevention and healing; load is distributed along the calf while the heel is fully suspended from all contact surfaces.
- Split Design for Easy Fitting - the foam ring split allows application and repositioning with minimal carer handling, reducing the leg lifting required to fit and reposition the device; this supports MHOR 1992 safe manual handling practice and allows quick repositioning during pressure relief turning without disturbing the resident's overall bed position.
- NHS IPC and NICE CG179 Compliance - the cover specification meets NHS IPC decontamination requirements for patient positioning aids in care home and clinical settings; suitable for pressure ulcer prevention in high-risk patients and Stage I-II heel pressure damage under clinical assessment; CQC Regulation 12 supported when documented in the tissue viability care plan.
Foot Elevator Foam Ring with Wipe-Clean Cover - Heel Offloading - NHS IPC
The Foot Elevator (Foam Ring with Wipe-Clean Cover) provides zero-pressure heel elevation through a circular foam ring fitted with a wipe-clean, vapour-permeable cover that supports NHS IPC decontamination between patient uses. The split design allows easy application and repositioning with minimal carer handling per MHOR 1992. This version is the appropriate specification where NHS IPC policy requires a decontaminatable surface on patient positioning aids. The uncovered version (NCL-FRD) is available for patient-dedicated use.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | NCL-FRDC |
| Type | Foam ring with wipe-clean vapour-permeable cover |
| Design Feature | Split for easy fitting and repositioning |
| Cover | Wipe-clean, vapour-permeable |
| Function | Zero-pressure heel elevation |
| Uncovered Version | NCL-FRD (foam ring only) |
Regulatory Compliance
NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 specify complete heel suspension as the standard for pressure ulcer prevention. NHS IPC infection control guidelines require that patient positioning aids in care home and clinical settings have surfaces that can be decontaminated between patient uses; the wipe-clean vapour-permeable cover on this model meets this requirement. The vapour-permeable specification additionally maintains skin microclimate per NICE CG179. CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should include the device in the tissue viability care plan with the cover decontamination schedule recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should the wipe-clean cover be decontaminated between patient uses?
The wipe-clean cover should be wiped with an NHS IPC-compliant surface disinfectant wipe and allowed to air-dry before the device is reapplied or stored. The disinfectant used should be compatible with vapour-permeable cover materials; check the cover manufacturer guidance to confirm compatibility and avoid material degradation that could compromise the vapour-permeable properties or create skin contact surface defects. Decontamination should be recorded in the care home cleaning schedule as part of the CQC Regulation 12 equipment maintenance record.
Does the wipe-clean cover affect the vapour permeability for the patient's skin?
No. The cover is specifically selected to be vapour-permeable, meaning moisture vapour from the skin can pass through the cover material and dissipate away from the skin surface. This is the same microclimate management principle specified in NICE CG179 for pressure-relieving and offloading devices - that the material in contact with the skin should not trap heat or moisture that would accelerate skin breakdown. The wipe-clean surface property and the vapour-permeable property are both required characteristics of the cover specification and are maintained simultaneously.
NCL-FRDC
- Wipe-Clean Vapour-Permeable Cover - wipe-clean, vapour-permeable cover allows moisture vapour to pass away from the skin surface while providing an NHS IPC-compatible outer surface that can be decontaminated with a clinical disinfectant wipe between patient uses; the cover makes this version the appropriate specification for infection-control-priority care environments over the uncovered foam ring (NCL-FRD).
- Zero-Pressure Heel Elevation - the circular foam ring with cover raises the foot entirely clear of the bed surface, achieving zero-pressure heel elevation consistent with the NICE CG179 and NICE QS89 floating heel requirement for pressure ulcer prevention and healing; load is distributed along the calf while the heel is fully suspended from all contact surfaces.
- Split Design for Easy Fitting - the foam ring split allows application and repositioning with minimal carer handling, reducing the leg lifting required to fit and reposition the device; this supports MHOR 1992 safe manual handling practice and allows quick repositioning during pressure relief turning without disturbing the resident's overall bed position.
- NHS IPC and NICE CG179 Compliance - the cover specification meets NHS IPC decontamination requirements for patient positioning aids in care home and clinical settings; suitable for pressure ulcer prevention in high-risk patients and Stage I-II heel pressure damage under clinical assessment; CQC Regulation 12 supported when documented in the tissue viability care plan.