Methodology An independent company* pressure mapped ten support surfaces using the same three healthy individuals to measure the TIP of each support surface at the sacral and heel areas. The results are reported as either average or maximum pressure. These two pressures provide results that are substantially different.

Maximum Pressure Report. Of the possible 63 individual sensors in the 4” by 5” area of the pressure imaging system, the highest pressure measure is isolated and reported for each subject. Of these three (3) subjects, the highest reading is reported

Average Pressure Report Averages of all 63 individual sensors in the 4” by 5” area. Provides the grand average.

Results The results from 10 different support surfaces reveal that there is little difference between mattresses

Conclusions Pressure mapping of the sacral and heel areas is able to visually illustrate how a support surface distribute a subject's weight. Pressure mapping results reported as the average pressure do not differentiate between support surfaces, making all support surfaces appear average. Pressure mapping results of the sacral area, average or maximum, conducted on healthy subjects in a supine position cannot be generalized to a debilitated patient in a semi fowlers position.