Measuring Pressure Redistribution Properties of 4 Hospital Bed Surfaces: A Quality Improvement Project.

BACKGROUND

Pressure ulcers/injuries are not only prevalent in the long-term care facilities but also in the acute care setting. Pressure ulcer development has many contributing factors, including prolonged high surface interface pressure between the skin and mattress surface.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to measure the pressure redistribution properties of 4 hospital surfaces.

METHODS

Pressure measurements were performed on 8 participants lying on 1) standard mattress; 2) standard mattress with a static, air-filled bed overlay placed on top of it; 3) mattress with pulsing technology; and 4) mattress with immersing technology. Participants were volunteers measured while lying in the supine position and, in one instance, in the prone position. Pressures were measured with a full-body interface pressure mapping system.

RESULTS

Of the 4 surfaces evaluated, the surface that provided the most effective pressure redistribution properties was the combination of the standard viscoelastic mattress with the static, air-filled overlay.

CONCLUSION

These results can help guide surface choice for providing the best pressure redistribution properties in order to help prevent pressure ulcers/injuries.