title: Evaluating pressure-reducing foam mattresses and electric bed frames.
abstract: It could be argued that pressure ulcer prevention is simply a matter of matching those patients at risk of developing tissue damage with suitable pressure-reducing equipment. However, as many authors have identified, this can be complicated because of the lack of reliable evidence to support many products. This article seeks to evaluate the combination of a pressure-reducing mattress with an electric profiling bed frame. The study was conducted in a high-dependency cardiac surgery unit. Forty-four subjects were recruited during a 6-month period and their progress observed. Two outcome measures were used: pressure ulcer incidence and perceptions of comfort. No pressure ulcers developed during the trial and the perceptions of comfort were generally positive. The small sample size restricts the conclusions that can be drawn from the study, but when taken in conjunction with other small studies in this area there appear to be benefits from using such a combination of equipment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tissue Viability, Grampian University Hospitals Trust, Aberdeen.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stringfellowe
mesh_terms: D001513:Beds; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*