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Treatment
Review: specially designed products to prevent or heal pressure sores are more effective than standard mattresses

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.3.2.54

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    Cullum N, Deeks J, Sheldon TA, et al. Beds, mattresses and cushions for pressure sore prevention and treatment. (Cochrane Review, latest version 26 May 1999). In: Cochrane Library. Oxford: Update Software.

    QUESTION: In patients who are at risk of pressure sores, are pressure relieving beds, mattresses, and cushions (support surfaces) effective for preventing and treating pressure sores?

    Data sources

    Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by searching 19 databases from their inception to 1997, hand searches of 5 wound care journals, conference abstracts, bibliographies of relevant studies and review articles, and contact with experts and manufacturers. Unpublished data were also sought.

    Study selection

    Interventions included standard or specialised foam mattresses or overlays; gel, fibre, or water filled mattresses or overlays; alternating pressure mattresses or overlays; air fluidised, bead, or low air loss beds; sheepskins; turning beds or frames; wheelchair cushions; or operating table overlays; and outcomes were incidence or healing rates of sores, cost, comfort, reliability, and acceptability.

    Data extraction

    Data were extracted on study quality, inclusion and exclusion criteria, baseline characteristics, settings, interventions, follow up, outcomes, acceptability, and reliability.

    Main results

    37 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. …

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    Footnotes

    • Sources of funding: R&D Department of Health and Personal Social Services, Northern Ireland, UK; NHS Research & Development Programme, UK; NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme, UK.

    • For correspondence: Dr N Cullum, Centre for Evidence Based Nursing, Department of Health Studies, University of York, Genesis 6, York Science Park, York YO10 5DQ, UK. Fax +44 (0)190 443 4102. A modified version of this abstract appears in ACP Journal Club.