title: Support surfaces: therapeutic and performance insights.
abstract: Support surfaces (specially designed hospital mattresses) are becoming important aspects of a comprehensive patient care plan. However, their proper use requires a clear understanding of the relative advantages and disadvantages of different product types. Moreover, careful assessment of outcomes is essential as support surfaces represent a significant, incremental increase in the costs of care, and their misuse could actually contribute to patient morbidity.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Tallon
mesh_terms: D001513:Beds / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011682:Purchasing, Hospital; D016896:Treatment Outcome