The factors causing pressure ulcers are pressure, moisture, shear, friction, lack of nutrition . Research has proved that occurrence of bedsore increases with increase in moisture and temperature. Pressure is main factor in development of pressure ulcer as routine repositioning is lacking to prevent skin breakdown. Hence prevention should be mainly focused on reduction of time and magnitude of pressure applied on the tissue.Various researches have been conducted on effectiveness of various support surfaces and mattresses. In this paper we have analyzedthe research on pressure ulcer preventive mattresses, support surfaces and overlays. Repositioning of patient’s body after every 2-3 hours in addition to pressure reduction devices is must for successive reduction of pressure ulcer. High specification foam mattresses and static air supports are more effective than other. But similar to others they can only delay ulceration time and not effective in total prevention. More studies are required to carry out for evaluating comfort and find out best alternating pressure mattresses among others. There is need for more reliable pressure reducing device which can alone prevent pressure ulcers
Volume 11 | 08-Special Issue
Pages: 3184-3190