Article 2024 Nov 18

Pressure Relief Mattress: The Importance of Comfort and Stability in Support Surfaces

As with all surfaces, there has to be a balance between therapeutic performance and patient acceptability and comfort. 1 

How Support Surfaces Achieve Pressure Relief 

According to the 2019 EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA Clinical Practice Guideline, support surfaces are categorized into two main types based on functionality: 

  • Reactive Support Surface: This powered or non-powered support surface adapts its load distribution in response to the patient’s weight. As the patient sinks into the surface, body weight is spread over a larger area, which reduces concentrated pressure over bony prominences where pressure injuries often occur. These surfaces contour to the patient’s shape, helping to prevent pressure injuries while enhancing comfort. 
  • Active Support Surface: This powered surface alternates pressure through cyclic loading and unloading, actively reducing tissue load in high-risk areas. By shifting pressure, active surfaces facilitate tissue recovery, making them ideal for patients at high risk of pressure injuries who need advanced protection. 

Today's support surfaces often incorporate both of these key features. One therapeutic mode supports immersion and envelopment for evenly distributed pressure, while the other provides alternating pressure for dynamic pressure redistribution. Together, these modes optimize patient support and pressure relief. 

How Support Surfaces Provide Stable Support 

Support surface stability is critical for both comfort and effective pressure relief. Stability is achieved through two main areas: air cell structural design and therapeutic mechanism design. 

1. Structural Design 
  • Air Cell Shape: Cylindrical and rectangular air cells help evenly distribute pressure, reduce localized stress, and prevent excessive deformation to maintain patient stability. 
  • Durable, Flexible Materials: Materials like PVC and TPU offer elasticity and wear resistance, ensuring long-term stable support with minimal replacements. 
  • Air Cell Sleeves: Reinforced air cells improve pressure distribution and postural stability, supporting patients safely during movement and transport. 
2. Therapeutic Mechanism Design 
  • Smooth Inflation Rhythm: Air cells deflate only when adjacent cells are fully inflated, reducing instability and enhancing patient comfort. 
  • Static Headrest: A non-alternating headrest provides steady support to minimize discomfort around the head and neck. 
  • Manual/Auto Seat Inflation: This feature allows air cell pressure adjustments based on posture, offering stable support for both seated and lying positions. 
Customized Pressure Adjustment for Patient Comfort 
Support surfaces utilize proprietary pressure-sensing technology to automatically adjust mattress firmness according to the patient’s weight and movements. This adaptive approach optimizes pressure relief, improving both patient comfort and pressure injury prevention. The manual tuning feature also lets caregivers personalize mattress firmness to the patient’s comfort preference without compromising pressure-relief performance, ensuring a restful experience. 

Enhancing Rest and Sleep Quality with Stability and Comfort 
A support surface should facilitate rest and recovery by reducing heat and moisture buildup, maintaining stability during alternating cycles, and minimizing noise and motion disturbances. Key features include: 
  1. Low Air Loss Technology: Effectively manages moisture, creating a drier, more comfortable experience. 
  2. Alternating Low-Pressure Mode: This mode reduces the sensation of pressure shifts, ideal for sensitive patients, pediatric patients, or those in pain. It enhances sleep comfort by gently alternating pressure. 
  3. Hydrolysis-Resistant, Low-Friction Materials: These materials reduce noise and friction, allowing patients to move freely and maintain restful sleep. 
  4. Quiet Operation: Low-noise output supports uninterrupted rest, improving patient comfort and clinical outcomes. 
Resources： 
  1. Phillips L, Goossens R, Takahashi M et al. Defining active pressure redistribution. Wounds International. 2012; 3(3) 
  2. European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline. The International Guideline. Emily Haesler (Ed.). EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA: 2019