title: Evaluating selection and efficacy of pressure-relieving equipment.
abstract: The drive towards evidence-based practice has highlighted the lack of randomized controlled trials that compare interventions such as pressure-relieving medical devices. This may influence practitioners, particularly purchasing practitioners, to consider other types of evidence when appraising literature to determine clinical practice and support recommendations and local guidelines. This article will illustrate the development of an audit tool used to evaluate nurses' knowledge and skills in patient assessment, selection and installation of appropriate pressure-relieving equipment. The tool also assists in assessing clinical effectiveness and user satisfaction of equipment. This article focuses on a small audit of the Karomed Ltd Transair 1500 (also known as the 3-Comm) mattress replacement system.
authors.affiliation: Walsall Primary Care NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chaloner
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001513:Beds; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009731:Nursing Audit; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*