title: Use of a powered coverlet for moisture removal, skin temperature reduction, odor, and bacteria control.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of a powered coverlet (PCL) to control moisture, reduce skin temperature, and help control odor and microbial growth at the skin/support-surface interface.
  
  
  METHODS
  A human torso was simulated using a water temperature-regulated loading gauge. The PCL is a 3-tier coverlet composed of vapor-permeable, liquid-impermeable layers with a foam spacer inbetween and a fan blower to draw moisture and heat away from the patient's skin through the spacer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A fabric moisture reservoir simulated sweating skin. It was placed between the simulated human torso and pressure redistribution support surface. A change in moisture reservoir weight was used to calculate moisture vapor transfer rate; temperature and relative humidity at the support surface interface were recorded as a function of time. To test for odor control, a malodorous compound was applied daily to the coverlet with and without power for 30 days in a laboratory setting. In a separate test, both a PCL and a standard hospital sheet were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus and incubated at 32°C to observe the PCL's ability to mitigate microbial growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated a higher moisture vapor transfer rate with the PCL as compared to a standard hospital bed sheet (129.5 g/m/h vs 34.1 g/m/h, P < .005). The PCL also had a larger reduction in skin temperature (1.1ºC vs 0.7ºC, P = .13) when compared to control. Gas chromatography analysis showed that the PCL helped control odor better than a non-PCL (P < .05). At 24 hours, the PCL showed greater than 2 log difference of S aureus over the standard hospital sheet (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These studies indicate the potential ability of the PCL to remove moisture at the patient/support-surface interface, thus creating a microenvironment with improved moisture management and reduction in odor and microbial growth.
authors.affiliation: Steven I. Reger, PhD, CP, Director Emeritus, Rehabilitation Technology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Vinoth K. Ranganathan, MS, MBA, Senior Project Manager, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Amy K. McNulty, PhD, Active Healing Solutions-Applied Sciences, Kinetic Concepts Inc, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Steven I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Reger
authors.forename: Vinoth K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Ranganathan
authors.forename: Amy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: McNulty
mesh_terms: D001513:Beds; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D009812:Odorants / Q000517:prevention & control; D010539:Permeability; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D014835:Volatilization