The committee concluded that Parafricta Bootees and Undergarments are a promising technology with the potential to reduce skin damage and the incidence and severity of pressure ulcers in both hospitals and the community. However, the committee considered that more evidence about the clinical benefits of using the garments is needed to support the case for more widespread, routine adoption.
The committee recommended that further research into clinical outcomes with Parafricta Bootees and Undergarments would be beneficial. It considered that comparative research against standard care could determine whether using Parafricta garments prevents skin damage and the development of pressure ulcers, and whether it benefits patients with existing pressure ulcers of all grades. The committee considered that in order for the garments to be used in those most in need, research should address how best to identify patients at risk of pressure ulcers due to friction and shear, for whom the use of Parafricta garments would offer most benefit.
The committee considered that research could be completed relatively quickly, especially in the NHS centres that are already using the technology. Of the outcomes defined in the scope, it considered that the reduction in pressure ulcer incidence and severity, length of hospital stay, ease of use and patient comfort would be particularly important in any research or data analysis.