01 Mar, 1999
John A. Dawson M.D.
Burn, Wound, Critical Care and General Surgery
705 Kingston Road
Grovetown, Georgia 30813
Tel/Fax 706-860-2973
Page 803-827-4187
E-Mail ICU@aol.com
In my role as director of the Advanced Wound Care Center and as a burn surgeon at Columbia HCA burn unit, I have had extensive experience with numerous therapy bed systems. For the last three years, I have been utilizing the Thera-TURN, Sentry, and Stage IV products from SenTech Medical Systems. Prior to that time I had and continue to have, experience with most other makes of specialty beds and support surfaces in my role as director of the burn and surgical critical units SUNY Syracuse and Baystate Medical Center. This includes fluidized air support, alternating pressure, low and high air loss products, gel products, foam and sheepskin.
I have followed and documented healing in over 300 patients with pressure ulcers, 40 flaps and over 500 grafts over the last 40 months. I have also followed and documented the effect of SenTech products as prophylaxis for 20 patients lying supine over 14 days due to burn injury. It is clear that SenTech’s overlay and mattress replacement systems function in a superior manner and at an equal or lower cost than competing products. This is due to their observed and measured dynamic support function with direct surface air loss, which helps prevent maceration. Nursing, administrative and patient acceptance has also been extremely high. The overall function including direct low air loss, range of dynamic motion and ergonomics are excellent. Transport to O/R and movement withing the room requires minimal effort, unlike some of the more bulky products often used. At the same time, nursing has appreciated the full range of functions available, the ease of use an the minimal training required.
As a result of the above experience I have abandoned the use of fluidized air support and full frame bed systems in postoperative and multiple decubiti nursing home situations. As a result of their proven efficacy, I now specifically stipulate the SenTech when prescribing a specialty mattress system. I have also discontinued the use of foam and fleece products for long term care patients. SenTech’s products are more cost-efficient, especially from the viewpoint of prevention of infection and the more rapid healing of wounds, in conjunction with staff compliance. When a full mattress is not required, the overlay product is utilized; further reducing cost while still achieving excellent results.
The very positive results I experienced with SenTech’s mattress systems resulted in my evaluation of the SenTech AIR CHAIR systems. I (immediately) experienced excellent results, similar staff acceptance and patient compliance greater than that for prior technology. As a result, the AIR CHAIR has become a de-facto standard for inpatient care of decubiti and posterior flaps and grafts. Within the hospital setting, the SenTech AIR CHAIR is the only specified product for chair therapy.
In conclusion I can recommend the SenTech products without reservation for burn wounds, surgical procedures and decubiti, as well as for critically ill, floor level and long-term care patients.
