Pressure-reducing capability of the Therarest hospital replacement mattress

Pressure readings over the sacral and trochanter areas were compared between a standard hospital mattress and a hospital replacement mattress with a healthy population (n = 23). There was a 28% reduction in sacral pressures and a 29% reduction in trochanter pressures. The mean sacral pressures for 10 subjects on the standard hospital mattress were greater than 32 mm Hg, whereas only one subject on the replacement mattress had a mean sacral pressure greater than 32 mm Hg. The mean trochanter pressures for 17 subjects on the standard hospital mattress were greater than 32 mm Hg, whereas only 12 subjects on the replacement mattress had mean trochanter pressures greater than 32 mm Hg. Further research is warranted to determine the validity of applying findings from research with healthy adults to persons considered to be at risk for pressure ulcer development. Research is also indicated to determine the effects of pressure-reducing variables in an at-risk population with different pressure-reducing products.