Celebrations

As I celebrate my 2nd wedding anniversary and my 1st anniversary of being in the blog world, I am able to reflect on all the changes life has brought to me. Though great changes, they left me not blogging as often as I would love. In my second year I would love for that to change and my goal is to share the field I love more and more. I'll begin by sharing one of the many exciting opportunities I've had this past year. 

For those who know me, I often make the joke about how much "I love butts"; well, working on a spinal cord unit allows my love for butts to blossom into full fruition. Throughout the last 6 months I have had the opportunity to work with, and learn, from several wound certified clinicians. Pressure sores ("bed sores"), moisture associated wounds, and wounds from friction and sheer are unfortunately not lacking among my population; I have been lucky enough to take part in helping manage and prevent these wounds during my work week. I've also had the opportunity to brainstorm and create some awesome custom cushions... with that I mean, COMMODE CUSHIONS! Take a look...

Here is a little background on why this project was initiated...
On my caseload was an individual who came to us with a 2nd degree burn on his bottom. Secondary to this wound, the patient was unable to perform his bowel program out of bed and independently because of the pressure that would be put on this area when sitting on a commode. After spending two months with us at the rehab, and with a semi healed wound, the patient was functionally ready to discharge home. However, the patient was still pressure mapping poorly on his home commode set up therefore, unable to perform out of bed care. We went through lots of brainstorming such use adding a Roho commode cushion, but this created an unsafe transfer leaving the patient would unable to perform it independently. 
So.... a custom cushion was our answer. 

The materials used: 

• Base of the original Quantum shower chair commode
  
• Plastic base that patient cut himself with help from a friend who gathered the materials - with the addition of the posterior cutout to minimize any pressure around the coccyx/sacrum
• Foam material from Dynamic Systems, Inc.: SunMate Medium support blue foam for transfer areas and Pudgee for high pressure areas such as around boney prominences. 
• Waterproofing and sealant from Dynamic Systems, Inc. 
• Total cost of fusion equaled ~$250. 

Our biggest fear upon completion of the cushion was: 1) pressure mapping result would be poor and 2) poor longevity of the cushion. Thankfully, the individual did pressure map wonderfully on the finished product showing no high pressure areas and come the 3 month mark now, and per follow up with the patient the cushion has withheld the daily usage. Overall, a success and it was FUN! 

Functionally yours,
m