When we think about preventing pressure injuries, repositioning is often one of the first things that comes to mind. And while regular repositioning is certainly essential, the surface supporting the patient between those position changes has an important role to play too.
If the surface is too firm, pressure may become concentrated around vulnerable areas of the body. But if it allows the patient to sink in appropriately while remaining supported, weight can be distributed across a greater surface area, helping to protect vulnerable tissues from prolonged, concentrated pressure.
This is the idea behind immersion therapy, and in this article, we’ll take a closer look at how immersion works, where it fits within a wider pressure injury prevention plan, and how our own PressureGuard APM-i® applies these principles in practice.
Immersion therapy works by allowing the patient’s body to sink into the support surface while still receiving the support they need.
This works through two closely related concepts: immersion and envelopment.
Immersion is how deeply the body sinks into the surface, while envelopment is how closely the surface conforms around the body. The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) identifies both as contributors to pressure redistribution, and together, they can help reduce the amount of pressure concentrated around vulnerable bony areas of the body.
So, what does immersion therapy look like in practice?
Let’s take a look at our PressureGuard APM-i®, which uses SmartImmerse™ Technology to help create the right balance of immersion and support for each individual patient.
In powered Immersion mode, all four air cylinders inflate equally, allowing the patient to settle into the surface while remaining supported. This increases the contact area between the patient and the mattress, helping spread their weight more evenly.
Of course, every patient is different. That’s why the PressureGuard APM-i® also offers alternating pressure and lateral rotation modes, giving care teams the flexibility to select the therapy that best fits the patient and their care plan.
The mattress itself supports pressure redistribution as well. Air cylinders run from head to foot, working alongside the foam components to provide additional support around the seat area when the head of the bed is elevated.
Shear is considered too, with the segmented Geo-Matt® top surface helping reduce shear on underlying tissues, while the Shear Transfer Zone® cover helps limit shear as the head of the bed is raised.
Patients also need to feel comfortable and secure in bed, as feeling unstable can make it harder to rest, move, or take part in care.
That’s why the PressureGuard APM-i® combines its air system with Safety Edge™ bolsters, which provide additional stability around the edge of the mattress. A 20-minute Auto Firm mode also creates a firmer surface for care activities, helping with patient handling and transfers before the mattress returns to the selected therapy mode.
The PressureGuard APM-i® is designed to support a range of patients who may need additional help with pressure redistribution, particularly when mobility or regular repositioning is limited.
Here’s a closer look at four specific care situations and how the PressureGuard APM-i® can help.
Pressure injury prevention works best when the surface is used alongside the other care measures already in place.
That means continuing to reposition patients based on their individual needs, even when they’re using a pressure-redistributing surface. Regular skin checks and ongoing risk assessments are important too, helping care teams spot changes early and adjust the care plan when needed.
It’s also important to look at the whole patient. Factors such as mobility, moisture, shear, perfusion, body size, and weight can all affect pressure injury risk and the type of support a patient may need.
In other words, immersion therapy doesn’t replace good pressure injury prevention practices. It works alongside them, helping manage pressure between position changes as part of a wider, individualized approach to prevention and treatment.
Repositioning will always be an important part of pressure injury prevention, but patient support doesn’t stop once a position change is complete. Between those position changes, the support surface should continue to help manage pressure.
If you’re exploring support surfaces for patients who need additional help with pressure redistribution, you can learn more about the PressureGuard APM-i® here or get in touch with our team to discuss your facility, patient population, and current pressure injury prevention approach.
No. Immersion therapy can help with pressure redistribution, but it doesn’t replace regular repositioning. The NPIAP recommends continuing to reposition patients who are at risk of pressure injury when clinically appropriate. How often that happens should be based on the patient’s individual risk, skin condition, needs, and tolerance.
No. Immersion therapy can also be used as part of a pressure injury prevention plan for patients who are considered at risk. This may include people with limited mobility or those who cannot reposition frequently. The right support surface should always be selected based on the individual patient’s needs, risk factors, and wider care plan.
Immersion therapy focuses on allowing the body to sink into and be supported by the surface to help redistribute pressure. Alternating pressure works differently, periodically changing the pressure beneath different areas of the body. Some support surfaces, including the PressureGuard APM-i®, offer both therapy modes so care teams can select the approach that best suits the patient.
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