Preventing pressure ulcers: an evaluation of four operating-table mattresses.
Pressure is a major factor in the development of pressure ulcers. This research focused on assessing the pressure-reducing effects of operating-table mattresses. Five mattresses were tested: a standard operating-table mattress, a foam mattress, a gel mattress, a visco-elastic polyether mattress, and a visco-elastic polyurethane mattress. Four intraoperative postures were evaluated: supine, lateral, fossa, and the Miles-Pauchet position. Interface pressure measurements were performed on 36 healthy volunteers. The foam mattress and the gel mattress seem to have little or no pressure-reducing effect; the polyurethane mattress and the polyether mattress reduce interface pressure significantly better (p < .001); but none of the mattresses reduce pressure sufficiently to prevent the occurrence of pressure ulcers.
Defloor
T
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Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Tom.Defloor@rug.ac.be
De Schuijmer
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JD
D000328:Adult; D001513:Beds / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*