title: The fluidised bed.
abstract: The process of fluidisation involves blowing warm air through small solid microspheres thus creating a liquid, without wetness. The warmth provides some important properties including reducing the metabolic rate in thermal injury which has a beneficial effect on mortality, modifying catabolism after surgery, providing gradual vasodilation in shock and core temperature stability in illness. The fluidisation ensures prevention and successful treatment of pressure sores, a comfortable and less stressful environment than conventional care, a reduction in pain, ease of wound care, discourages a bacterial persistence and reduces the work of the nurse. The importance of proper fluid balance, bacteriological care and limitations of posture must be appreciated in using the bed.
authors.affiliation: GITU, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D001513:Beds; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008863:Microspheres; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy