Interface pressure, wound healing, and satisfaction in the evaluation of a non-powered fluid mattress

In this study, a non-powered fluid mattress (hereafter referred to as study mattress) was evaluated in terms of interface pressure, wound healing, and patient/practitioner satisfaction. The study was divided into two parts. Twenty-two (22) volunteers placed on the study mattress were used to evaluate interface pressure. Pressure ulcer healing and cost of study mattress were evaluated for 36 stage I-IV pressure ulcers and 24 surgically repaired ulcers in 33 consecutively recruited patients. Additionally, patient and practitioner satisfaction with the support surface was assessed at the completion of the study. Direct comparison of interface pressures with air-fluidized and low-air-loss beds indicate that the study mattress relieves pressure as well as existing technology. Wounds of patients on the study mattress healed at an average rate of 31 percent per week (median 25 percent per week) and flapped wounds healed an average of 7.7 weeks. No new ulcers occurred among patients using the study mattress. Both patients and practitioners reported satisfaction with the comfort and performance of the study mattress and felt it compared favorably with air-fluidized and low-air-loss technologies.