Reducing devices for pressure sores with respect to nursing care procedures

In a study that focused on patient comfort and ease of performing nursing care activities 10 common pressure-reducing devices were evaluated for cost, stability, dimensions, positioning, temperature, bounce, noise, cleaning, leakage, weight, mechanical reliability, linen displacement, transfers, bathing, feeding, and dressing. Thirteen subjects--six quadriplegic patients, five paraplegic patients, and two patients with cerebrovascular accidents--and three nurses evaluated each device according to a prearranged schedule of daily patient care activity. Each subject tested five devices at least four times during two separate 24-hour periods. The devices were ranked and rated by subjects and nurses. When Kendall rank correlation coefficients were compared, the tau for ranking by subjects and nurses was .82; for rating, .42; and for ranking and rating combined, .73. Subjective comments by subjects and nurses were examined for relevant factors.