Pressure ulcer education 4: selection and use of support surfaces

Fletcher, Jacqui

Jacqui Fletcher, chair, Pressure Ulcer Education Core Curriculum Group; senior clinical adviser, NHS Improvement/England.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

This article was developed in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement

For more articles on wound care, go to nursingtimes.net/woundcare

Nursing Times 116(1):p 41-43, January 2020.

Abstract

The use of support surfaces is one of the most common interventions for preventing pressure ulcers. These support surfaces can include mattresses, chairs, cushions, foot/heel protection and offloading (removing pressure from the affected area) devices. Nurses need to understand their impact on skin integrity, associated risk factors and how to select the correct equipment for a patient's needs. This article, the fourth in an eight-part series on the development of a core education curriculum for pressure ulcer prevention and management, discusses surface selection and use.

Citation Fletcher J (2020) Pressure ulcer education 4: selection and use of support surfaces. Nursing Times; 116: 1, 41–43.

In this article…

Different types of support surfaces and their effect on skin integrity
The mechanism of action, benefits and associated risks
How to select the appropriate equipment to meet individual patients’ needs