TREATMENT
Review: alternative-foam mattresses and some operating-table overlays reduce pressure ulcers more than standard surfaces
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
Do pressure-relieving surfaces reduce pressure ulcers more than standard support surfaces? Are some types of pressure-relieving surfaces more effective than others?
Included studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared beds, mattresses, mattress overlays, and cushions in patients at risk of pressure ulcers and reported objective outcomes. Outcomes included incidence of new pressure ulcers.
Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, CINAHL, Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL, and Cochrane Library (all to Feb 2008), and reference lists were searched. Experts and manufacturers were contacted. 52 RCTs were included.
Constant low-pressure (CLP) supports. Of 8 RCTs comparing CLP supports with standard mattresses, 5 showed a benefit for alternative-foam mattresses (pooled risk reduction [RR] 60%, 95% CI 26 to 79). Water beds (1 RCT, RR 65%, CI 21 to 85) and Beaufort bead beds (1 RCT, RR 68%, CI 24 to 86) reduced pressure ulcers, but viscoelastic foam trolley mattresses did not (1
University of Wollongong Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
Services
- Email this link to a friend
- Similar articles in this journal
- Similar articles in PubMed
- Add article to my folders
- Download to citation manager
- Request Permissions
Google Scholar
PubMed
Topic Collections
Bookmark with
Register for free content
The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.
Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.
