Right Stuff Posture management

 

 

 

 

 

Right Stuff© is a collection of products developed by Osteopoise Healthcare that draws from nearly 2 decades of experience, working with Nurses, Physiotherapists Occupational Therapists, posture management specialists, carers and patients who have identified that positioning and support in bed whilst maintaining a more symmetrical body shape is a key priority.  This follows on from our efforts with daytime posture management in the form of supportive, and corrective solutions for wheelchairs and other specialist seating solutions as part of a 24 hr posture management approach.

 

Leg Aligner

Double Pommel T-Roll

The Magnet

Right Stuff© comprises of a number of different size and shape pillows, rolls and supportive cushions that are designed to offer improved support & comfort over and above that which you might achieve using normal pillows, towels etc.  We achieve this by using performance materials that offer the following benefits.

 

• Simple and easy to apply.
• Help manage spasm and high tone
• Manages destructive tone patterns
• Distribute and reduce pressure.
• Improve general comfort.
• Improve air flow around the body and to at risk areas.
• Reduce skin to skin contact on high risk areas.
• Reduce moisture damage to skin.
• Antibacterial wipe clean surfaces.

 

Why do we do this?

“We want to Capture the posture we have”  Prevent or slow down the deterioration process.  Defend or Defeat the poor postures that can easily develop as time in bed increases. 

For some clients there is a tendency for them to spend longer and longer period in bed, not just at night but in the day as well.  The reasons for this  can read something like the chicken and egg debate,  i.e. the person or patient may be slipping out of a chair or wheelchair (possibly due to a number of factors) and a decision is taken that this person will spend more and more time in bed including daytime as a way of keeping them safe. Nobody is questioning the motive or the need to provide better care, what we want to hi lite are the root causes and the often simple solutions that can make a huge difference in outcomes.

The person is usually non ambulant and hoisted for all transfers,  for others, there may already be minor changes in body shape and posture due to the nature of their disability or health condition. all of these contribute to a cocktail of issues that can ferment into more complex problems if not addressed.

Then there are those who already have complex postural needs and in many cases there is already some level of intervention in the form of either an ergonomic seating solution either in the form of a more supportive wheelchair, possibly one that tilts or has a more supportive cushion, hearest,  and or lateral supports.  It can feel like a losing battle when all this effort is made to support the person in the day but at night there is either little or no support or a complex array of pillows etc that almost evaporate within minutes of being put in place as they invariably fail to cope with movement such as spasm. there are numerous other issues such as temperature, moisture and pressure care to consider and standard pillows are simply not up to the job

 

• Long or extended periods in bed can also have a negative impact on pressure risk.
• Frequent changes of position for pressure relief are necessary
• Greater risk of respiratory infections or problems for clients who have extended periods of time in bed
• To promote a symmetrical body shape
• To prevent muscle wastage
• To prevent a deterioration or decline in body shape that will impact on general health and wellbeing, respiration, digestion and other natural functions as well as affecting sitting balance and posture
• To reduce the risk of contracture ( muscles tightening and changing body shape)
• To improve comfort
• To Improve personal care and maintain skin integrity and skin health.

 

These types of products are not all that well understood in the wider community but they have been steadily developing over the last 15-20 years and they are now understood a lot better and the benefits are being recognised and acknowledged by health professionals and academics alike. There is a really strong link between nigh time positioning and support and daytime posture managemen which is where joined up approach really benefits the client/patient

 

Sleep systems also have a bit of a stigma to overcome in some cases.

Historically they have tended to be quite rigid and structured.  which may be desirable on a technical level and this is usually rooted in the world of  paediatric posture management. the biggest reason for this will almost certainly be the desire to manage or structure the persons posture especially as they develop and grow. There will be a completely understandable desire to prevent deformities from developing that can be managed.

 

Q: Where do lots of sleep systems live?

A: On top of wardrobe, at the back of the wardrobe, under the stairs in a box, in the loft or the almost anywhere but -in the bed.

Q; Why.

A: They can be intrusive, not simple to apply, need applying multiple times during sleep, and can impact on waking and sleep patterns.

 

The importance of simplicity cannot be overstated and is a key factor in the successful acceptance and compliance with any kind of equipment as ease of use has long been acknowledged as a key factor for clients and carers who are more likely to abandon the use of a “sleep system” or any equipment that is too demanding or complex despite its technical merits. 

 

 

What Makes RighStuff Different?  

The philosophy is completely different…..

We prioritise ease of use, making it simple and easy to apply , its carer friendly, whether that’s family or professional care.

We address common problems with simple effective solutions,

We reduce clutter, simplicity is key

We provide continuity of support as the products stay in place,

We address pressure care and provide thermal comfort.

simple and easy to clean/maintain.

 

 

®RightStuff is at the intersection between cost and performance A great balance of performance at a reasonable cost. in most cases up to 40% lower cost on a like for like product.

 

Thermal Regulation.

We are often asked if using such products can contribute to body temperature and an increase in perspiration.  Just to recap, the Dartex fabric is a multi stretch breathable fabric that is waterproof, the filling is a Crumbed Visco elastic memory foam and as such they do not create heat,  and the body produces more perspiration that we are are usually aware of and as Dartex won’t absorb fluid, it remains on the surface and therefore is more visible.  Air circulation is key to reducing moisture and Dartex will facilitate air flow. and in normal conditions the Right Stuff products will feel warm to the touch but will not heat up a client.  In Weather extremes or for clients who have temperature issues we have introduced a cooling mantle using PCM technology. These will be available for the leg aligner and we are working on a mantle for the Double pommel T-Roll.

Originally developed for NASA, Phase Change Materials (PCM)  absorb, store and release heat for optimal thermal comfort.

It is comparable to ice in a drink; as it changes from solid to liquid, it absorbs heat and cools the drink, keeping that drink at the desired temperature for longer, phase change materials work in the same way, but are micro-encapsulated to be permanently enclosed and protected in a polymer shell. This encapsulation process gives us a durable product that can be incorporated into fabrics which then have the capacity to absorb, store and release excess heat and to continually regulate the skin’s microclimate. As the skin gets hot, the heat is absorbed, and as it cools, that heat is released. It is not a wicking technology which manages moisture by reacting      to your sweat and pulling it away from the skin, it is proactive and manages heat while controlling the production of moisture before it begins. This is smart technology. For Right Stuff,  the PCM layer is attached to a Towelling material and used as an outer cover.  By adding the ‘cooling mantle’ over the existing Dartex to a standard product you benefit from the PCM technology as well as the established benefits of Dartex.