title: Prevention of pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit: a randomized trial of 2 viscoelastic foam support surfaces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare whether differences exist between 2 viscoelastic foam support surfaces in the development of new pressure ulcers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is evidence to support the use of viscoelastic foam over standard hospital foam to reduce pressure. A comparative effectiveness study was done to compare 2 viscoelastic foam support surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed in 2 intensive care units between October 1, 2008, and January 4, 2010. Patients (n = 105) admitted to intensive care unit were randomly assigned to viscoelastic foam 1 (n = 53) or viscoelastic foam 2 support surface (n = 52).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 42.8% of all patients developed a new pressure ulcer of stage 1 or worse. By stages, pressure ulcer incidence was 28.6%, 13.3%, and 1.0% for stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no significant difference in pressure ulcer incidence between the viscoelastic foam 1 and 2 groups (X2 = 0.07, df = 1, P > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference was found between 2 different viscoelastic foam surfaces in the prevention of pressure ulcers in patients treated in intensive care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pressure ulcer incidence in critically ill patients remains high. Nurses must compare current products for effectiveness and develop innovative systems, processes, or devices to deliver best practices.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Lecturer, Doctor, Department of Surgical Nursing (Dr Ozyurek), Afyon Kocatepe University School of Nursing, Afyonkarahisar; and Lecturer, Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Nursing (Dr Yavuz), Ege University School of Nursing, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pakize
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ozyurek
authors.forename: Meryem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yavuz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055682:Viscoelastic Substances / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D055682:Viscoelastic Substances