Sonnet Heel Suspension Wedge
Sonnet Heel Wedge
Aged Care
Hospital
Long Term and Homecare
The Sonnet Heel Wedge is used for leg elevation and heel suspension for effective pressure relief to critical heel areas. Manufactured using premium immersion foams and a pressure care covering, the Forté Heel Wedge is suited for a wide range of patients and ideal for performance and longevity.
Features
AIROFORM MEMORY IMMERSION INTERFACE
- High Temperature Stability to deliver consistent immersion, performance and comfort
- Maximises Patient contact with Support Surfaces Providing Pressure Redistribution
- Alleviates localised pressure points
- Depth calibrated to maximise functionality and patient mobility
- Visco-elastic/Memory Foam cell structure provides low-shear surface
- Firmness: Soft
- Learn more about Airoform Immersion Foams
SUPPORTIVE FOUNDATION LAYER
- Delivers excellent postural comfort
- High quality, excellent durability
FULLY SEALED & ENCLOSED ADVANTIFLEX PRESSURE CARE COVER W/NON-SLIP BASE
- Advantiflex PU1100 Pressure Care Polyurethane Upper Material: 4-Way Stretch, Vapour Permeable, Blue
- Non-Slip Polyurethane Waterproof Base: Provides excellent grip, prevents sliding, improves safety, alternative to Velcro!
- Construction: Fully sealed – no zipper, High frequency sealed and welded seams
- Learn more about Advantiflex
About the Sonnet Heel Wedge
Pressure Relieving Device
Airoform Foam
Excellent Immersion
Gentle Care
Complete Offloading
THE RISKY HEEL REGION
The heels are one of the most susceptible sites for pressure injuries, due to factors such as heel anatomy, disease burden, comorbid conditions, and the aging process. Heel Pressure Injuries (HPI) have been found to be one of the most prevalent sites for pressure injuries to occur, with a study in Europe identifying that 38.5% of stage IV pressure injuries were found at the heels.
According to the Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline, The International Guideline 2019, Reducing pressure and sheer at the heel is an important point of interest in clinical practice. The posterior prominence of the heel sustains intense pressure, even when a pressure redistribution surface I used. Because the heel is covered with a small volume of subcutaneous tissue, mechanical loads are transmitted directly angular to the bone. The shape of the individual’s calcanei influences the strain on muscles and tissue at the heel. Given the small surface area of the heel, it is challenging to redistribute load from the heel.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEEL ELEVATION
With the heels being one of the most susceptible sites for pressure injuries, pressure upon the Calcaneus must be reduced and redistributed. There are many ways of achieving this pressure reduction including a heel slope (surface modification), and heel elevation (using external devices such as the Sonnet Heel wedge).
Though essential in the clinical setting, particularly with those that are medically complex, elevating the heel and redistributing the pressure towards the calf is a difficult task. There are several implementation considerations such as ensuring the knee is at a slight flexion (5-10°) while the heel is elevated – this can help avoid vein compression and increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It is important to adapt a plan of care to the individuals’ needs while avoiding causing harm to other ‘at-risk’ areas of the body (such as the Achilles tendon).
With patients on a traditional support surface with a completely horizontal fascia (no heel slope) and no additional aid from an external heel device, pressure injuries upon the heel region are more common than with heels that have elevated heels, with differences being from an 8% to 54.2% incidence on heel injury respectively.
The Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline, The International Guideline 2019 recommends individuals at risk of heel pressure injuries and/or with Category/Stage I or II Pressure Injury, elevate the heels using a specifically designed heel suspension device. Offload the heel completely in such a way as to distribute the weight of the leg along the calf without placing pressure on the Achilles tendon and the popliteal vein.
HYGIENIC
An external device such as a heel elevator must meet all the same inflection control standards as a support surface. Forté Sonnet Pressure Relieving Devices have high frequency welded seams (as opposed to sewn) and are wipe-clean and waterproof to meet infection control requirements for the facility environment. Welded seams prevent seepage of fluid through open, absorbent sewn seams.
In addition to the cover, foams used by Forté for the Sonnet Pressure Relieving Devices are specifically formulated for use within high humidity applications, typical within Hospital applications. ‘Humidity’ treatment ensures that the structural integrity of the foams remains within conditions that would otherwise have a significant degrading effect on foam performance. It also ensures postural support is maintained for comfort and prevents excessive pressure forces because of foam collapse. It is crucial to pressure injury prevention that the foam maintains its support to prevent a ‘bottoming out’ effect and ensure immersion and envelopment. Foams are also treated with Eversheild Anti-Microbial protection to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria. Maintaining healthy conditions within the foams reduces risk of infection control, cross patient contamination and mould.
VERSATILITY BY BEING AUSTRALIAN MADE
Australian made by Forté Healthcare in Armidale NSW, the Sonnet Pressure Relieving Devices are synonymous with quality, performance, longevity, and functionality and is trusted by leading Hospitals and healthcare professionals to deliver clinical results and positive outcomes.
Forté manufactures Sonnet devices to order which means they can be customised in size and configuration to suit a specific individual. Each patient has different anatomy which means one device is not always effective for all individuals.
Why is it important to purchase Australian made products?
By purchasing products from Forté you are investing in the future of pressure injury prevention in Australia, creating regional jobs and boosting our economy for the better of everyone. Australian Made for Australian Care.
Manufacturing
Leveraging clinical expertise, with leading raw material technology and in-house manufacturing capabilities Forté Healthcare ensures optimal outcomes for pressure injury prevention, infection control and patient comfort.
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Newcastle, NSW
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Sydney, NSW
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Burnett Heads, QLD
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Melbourne, VIC
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Sydney, NSW
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Sydney, NSW
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Sunshine Coast, QLD
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Sunshine Coast, QLD
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Sunshine Coast, QLD
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Adelaide, SA
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Melbourne, VIC
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TAS
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Sydney, NSW
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