Skin–Bed Interface Pressure on Standard Hospital Mattress for Sitting, Prone, and Supine Posture in Healthy Adults

Abstract

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are common medical problem in bedridden patients. Major contributing factor includes interface pressure (IP) developed over bony prominences due to various extrinsic postural parameters. The cost of PU prevention and treatment is a major burden on the healthcare system. The incidence and prevalence of PUs are considerable even after technological advancement in hospital beds and support surfaces. The work is an attempt toward examining the effects of sitting, supine, and prone postures on skin–bed IP. Total 31 healthy subjects were considered for study and with the help of CONFORMat® pressure mapping system IP at various locations were examined. It is observed that maximum IP is 477 mmHg under knee in prone posture, 634 mmHg at the ischial tuberosities, and 432 mmHg at heel in sitting posture whereas it is observed moderate 213 mmHg at the sacrum and 200 mmHg at shoulder region in supine posture. The author proposes that the study is useful for the caretakers to instruct the patient’s effective posture on the bed as well as provides proper inputs for efficient bed mattress design which will further help to reduce and healing of PU.