title: An evaluation of a novel alternating mattress and cushion technology.
abstract: Pressure ulcer prevention and management remain a challenge across all health-care settings, and the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in nursing homes and residential homes continues to remain unknown. The use of suitable support surfaces has been found to be beneficial in the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. Carrying out a holistic assessment of the patient and recording the patient's at-risk score would help the clinician to determine the most suitable pressure-relieving surface for the patient. The clinician's clinical experience and judgment are also important. The Domus Auto (by APEX) mattress system and Dynamic Seat Cushion (by APEX) are effective dynamic, support surfaces in the prevention and management of pressure ulceration. They meet the recommendations by both national and international guidelines; they also partly fulfil the SSKIN bundle. From a four-week evaluation carried out in a nursing home, it has been demonstrated that, together with regular assessments and repositioning of the patients, these devices are useful tools in preventing patients' risk of tissue damage and improving the patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Tissue Viability Service Lead, Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chamanga
authors.affiliation: Matron and Proprietor, Lyndhurst Park Nursing Home, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, England.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butcher
mesh_terms: D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000592:standards; D001513:Beds / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000451:nursing; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: evaluation; mattress; nursing home; pressure ulcer; quality of life