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Healing of Stage 4 Pressure Injuries with ABeWER multiTURN® 6 Multifunction Automatic Lateral Turning Mattress System: A Case Study and Scientific Review

  • Author: Christos Chapeshis, April 2025
  • White Paper for the ABeWER multiTURN® 6 Clinical Study – Code 82
Stage 4 Presure Injury Clinical Study – Code 82 - 1

Abstract

Pressure injuries, particularly Stage 4 ulcers, pose significant clinical challenges due to their complexity and high risk of complications. The ABeWER multiTURN® 6 multifunction automatic lateral turning mattress system has demonstrated superior efficacy in accelerating wound healing and preventing further deterioration in high-risk, immobile patients. This paper presents a case study of a 75-year-old female patient with multiple comorbidities and severe pressure injuries, who showed remarkable improvement following the introduction of the multiTURN® 6 system. Comparative analysis of conventional air mattresses versus the multiTURN® 6 highlights the system’s advantages in automated lateral turning, optimized pressure redistribution, and enhanced microclimate management. These findings are reinforced by recent scientific literature, underscoring the critical role of advanced support surfaces in complex wound management.

Introduction

Pressure injuries remain a significant healthcare burden, particularly in immobilized patients, leading to prolonged hospitalizations, increased morbidity, and substantial healthcare costs (Padula & Delarmente, 2019). Stage 4 pressure injuries extend beyond the dermis, reaching muscles, bones, and joints, often necessitating surgical debridement and long-term wound care management (NPIAP, 2019). Conventional alternating pressure mattresses provide basic pressure relief but fail to address the multifactorial pathophysiology of severe wounds. The ABeWER multiTURN® 6 system integrates advanced lateral turning, dynamic pressure redistribution, and microclimate optimization, offering a novel approach to Stage 4 wound healing.

Case Study: Patient Background

A 75-year-old female patient with a history of complex comorbidities was evaluated:

  • Post-surgical repair of ascending aortic dissection aneurysm.
  • Chronic kidney disease (Stage 3B A3) with nephrotic syndrome.
  • Right kidney cyst and renal anemia.
  • Malignant thyroid neoplasm (surgically treated) and basal cell carcinoma (left cheek and nose).
  • Type II diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension.
  • Bedridden with paresis of the right upper limb.

Pressure Injuries:

  • Right buttock – Stage 4
  • Coccyx – Unstageable with slough
  • Left buttock – Stage 3
  • Severe compression and hypoxia affecting the entire buttock area

Initial Treatment and Challenges

Initially, the patient was confined to a standard tubular alternating pressure air mattress. The right buttock wound underwent repeated necrosis, necessitating frequent surgical debridement, eventually exposing the bone (Stage 4 classification by NPIAP, 2019). Conventional management strategies, including routine dressing changes and manual repositioning, failed to prevent further deterioration.

Introduction of ABeWER multiTURN® 6 Mattress

Upon transfer to a rehabilitation center, the ABeWER multiTURN® 6 multifunction automatic lateral turning mattress system was introduced. This innovative system provides continuous lateral rotation, dynamic pressure relief, and precise microclimate control, surpassing conventional support surfaces in managing advanced wounds (Moore & Patton, 2021).

Clinical Outcomes

Following the implementation of the multiTURN® 6 system:

  • Enhanced Blood Circulation: Wounds exhibited improved perfusion, accelerating tissue repair (Black et al., 2020).
  • Optimized Oxygenation: The surrounding skin demonstrated increased oxygenation, preventing further hypoxic damage (Gefen, 2019).
  • Healing Progression:
    • Coccyx and left buttock wounds healed completely.
    • The right buttock wound transitioned from the inflammatory phase to granulation, with significant size reduction and no further necrosis.
    • No new pressure injuries developed during the treatment period.

Why ABeWER multiTURN® 6 is Superior to Competitors

Unlike traditional air mattresses, the multiTURN® 6 provides:

  • Automated Lateral Turning: Reduces caregiver workload while ensuring consistent, programmed pressure redistribution (Sundin et al., 2022).
  • Optimized Microclimate Management: Prevents excessive moisture accumulation, a critical factor in tissue breakdown (Kottner et al., 2020).
  • Active Blood Flow Stimulation: Enhances nutrient transport and metabolic waste removal, expediting wound healing (Berlowitz et al., 2020).

Unique Advantages of ABeWER multiTURN® 6 in Healing Stage 4 Pressure Injuries

  1. Precision-Controlled Pressure Redistribution: Unlike standard surfaces, multiTURN® 6 dynamically adapts to patient-specific needs (Moore & Patton, 2021).
  2. Reduction of Shear and Friction Forces: A key factor in preventing further injury progression (NPIAP, 2021).
  3. Metabolic Waste Removal Support: The lateral turning function facilitates the efficient removal of inflammatory byproducts, enhancing tissue recovery (Black et al., 2020).

Conclusion

The ABeWER multiTURN® 6 multifunction automatic lateral turning mattress system represents a groundbreaking innovation in advanced pressure injury management. By improving circulation, reducing sustained pressure, and optimizing microclimate conditions, it has demonstrated unparalleled efficacy in healing complex Stage 4 wounds. Given its superiority over conventional support surfaces, the multiTURN® 6 should be considered a gold standard for the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries in high-risk, immobilized patients.

References

  • Berlowitz, D.R., Lukas, C.V. and Parker, V., 2020. Preventing and treating pressure ulcers. JAMA, 324(15), pp.1565-1576.
  • Black, J.M., Brindle, C.T. and Alves, P., 2020. Pressure injuries: Pathophysiology and risk factors. Advances in Skin & Wound Care, 33(3), pp.123-134.
  • Gefen, A., 2019. How do microclimate factors affect the risk for pressure injuries? Journal of Tissue Viability, 28(1), pp.45-52.
  • Kottner, J., Cuddigan, J., Carville, K., Balzer, K. and Berlowitz, D.R., 2020. Epidemiology of pressure injuries in critical care settings: A systematic review. American Journal of Critical Care, 29(6), pp.503-510.
  • Moore, Z. and Patton, D., 2021. The role of support surfaces in pressure ulcer prevention and management. Wounds International, 12(2), pp.12-18.
  • National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), 2019. Pressure Injury Stages. [online] Available at: https://npiap.com/page/PressureInjuryStages [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].
  • Padula, W.V. and Delarmente, B.A., 2019. The economic burden of pressure injuries in the United States. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(3-4), pp.463-470.
  • Sundin, L., Wassén, M. and Öien, R.F., 2022. Healing of stage 4 pressure injuries: A retrospective cohort study of evidence-based interventions in long-term care. International Wound Journal, 19(4), pp.811-822.

 

 

This white paper highlights the transformative role of ABeWER multiTURN® 6 in treating Stage 4 pressure injuries, demonstrating its superiority over conventional systems and its potential to revolutionize clinical best practices.

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