title: Choosing the right support surface.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide the clinician with an overview of support surfaces used to manage tissue integrity as well as a review of how pressure ulcers develop.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in understanding how available support surfaces can impact the development and treatment of pressure ulcers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After reading the article and taking the test, the participant should be able to:
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Joann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maklebust
mesh_terms: D001513:Beds / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D002755:Choice Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D018579:Patient Selection; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D033081:Shear Strength; D014945:Wound Healing