Evaluating an alternating mattress on an elderly rehabilitation ward.

Pressure ulcer prevention is a primary requirement for the NHS. Robust nursing procedures and the provision of pressure-relieving equipment is vital in meeting this requirement. However, the Department of Health also regards making considerable financial savings as a fundamental requirement. There is a firm clinical consensus among national and international bodies that patients at a high risk of developing pressure ulcers, or with existing tissue damage, should be cared for on an alternating (pressure-relieving) mattress system. This evaluation process looks at the performance of the lower cost Air-Flo® 8 Acute alternating (pressure-relieving) mattress system to see if it is effective in meeting the needs of patients. The outcomes suggest that when combined with a pressure ulcer management plan and turning schedule the Air-Flo® 8 Acute performed well, giving an option to continue to care for high-risk patients with an empirically proven effective therapy, while making considerable financial savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]