Other considerations in selecting a support surface

Besides the seven basic support surface requirements for prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, more than 30 additional factors should be considered by the clinician when selecting support surfaces to meet the needs of individual patients. These other considerations can be grouped into five categories: cost effectiveness; patient care; psychosocial issues, including patient comfort and clinician satisfaction; safety, reliability, and service issues; and equipment and logistical considerations. Future research on support surfaces should focus not only on wound outcomes, but also on these other factors.