Pressure-relieving supports in an ICU

Intensive care wards have a high incidence of pressure sores. This trial, in an eight-bed unit, aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of constant-low-pressure and alternating-pressure support systems for preventing pressure sores. Patients without sores with a Norton risk score of < 13 were allocated to either alternating- or constant-low-pressure supports according to their hospital number. The cheapest supports were used initially, and changed for more sophisticated types if the patient's pressure areas deteriorated. None of the 23 patients using low-cost alternating-pressure supports developed open sores and only one had to be transferred to a more sophisticated mattress because of persistent erythema. Eleven out of 20 patients on constant-low-pressure mattresses or overlays developed either persistent erythema (three) or sores (eight). Ten were transferred to more expensive support systems. The mean cost of supports per patient in the alternating-pressure group was 44.50 pounds and in the constant-low-pressure group 86.20 pounds.