Pressure ulcers and support surfaces

Abstract In health area pressure ulcers remain until today a major problem, especially in critically ill patients in whom the incidence is increasing due to their prolonged detention. An important part in the appearance of pressure sores is prevention. Prevention can be achieved in several ways such as by changing patient position or using specialized support surfaces which reduce the pressure in the areas most commonly created the pressure sores. Equally important part in pressure sores problem is manage the problem and it can mainly achieved by the use of specific pads or the use of new, alternative methods to help them heal faster. The support surface is a specialized pressure redistribution device (pressure redistribution) which is designed to support tissue, and/or other therapeutic functions. The optimal supportive surface relieves the pressure, the fragmentation and friction and maintains a constant temperature in the human body. Such a supportive surface redistributes body weight on a possibly largest surface of the body, thereby reducing the pressure at specific parts of the body and therefore tissue damage is prevented