Aikaterini Marvaki, Olga Kadda, Georgios Vasilopoulos, Georgia Toylia and Christina Marvaki
Objective: This short review seeks to present the effectiveness of support surfaces for pressure ulcer prevention in intensive care patients. Methods: A literature search was undertaken of international databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library). A time limited criteria was applied with respect to articles publication; articles published in the last decade (2010-2020). As key words, the following terms were used: “pressure ulcers”, “support surfaces”, “intensive care unit”, “prevention”, “mattresses”. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which assessed the effectiveness of mattresses for the prevention of pressure ulcers, in intensive care unit (ICU) patients were included in this review. Results: Many researchers have compared support surfaces and revealed the effectiveness between different types of support surfaces. From the present short review of the literature, researchers made an effort to compare the standard hospital mattress with viscoelastic mattress. It was found that the viscoelastic type of mattress reduced the incidence of PUs in critical ill patients. Moreover, some researchers underline the need for systematic and ongoing assessment of the patient’s skin as well as implementation of prevention measures. Conclusions: Viscoelastic mattress seems to be more effective compared to standard foam mattresses in prevention of PUs, in ICU patients. Coping strategies can be developed through an organized intensive care team for PUs prevention.
