![[ Visit WOCN Website ]](images/header_bg.jpg)
Introduction
Pressure relief is crucial for prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, and mattresses play a pivotal role in this effort.
Surface Modification Technology (SMT™) is an innovative manufacturing process which can be used to generate high levels of very-specific pressure redistribution. The technology uses a large percentage of materials from renewable natural resources and prevents toxic emissions during the production process.
Test method
To test the claimed pressure redistribution advantages, pressures on SMT foam mattresses (regular and bariatric) were compared with those of traditional, commercially-available medical mattresses. Using the XSensor pressure mapping system (XSENSOR Technology Corp., Calgary, Canada) maximum pressure (anywhere on the body) and average pressure (over the entire body surface) were measured on supine human subjects and expressed as a percentage versus the best performing mattress.
Results
Among 11 regular mattresses, maximum pressures anywhere on the body ranged from 35.39 (SMT) to 58.34 mm Hg/inch2 and average pressures ranged from 20.19 to 14.95 (SMT) mm Hg/inch2. Expressed as a performance difference versus the best performing mattress (SMT), differences ranged from 34-65%. In bariatric mattresses, the SMT mattress performed 22 and 37% better than the two regular bariatric mattresses while the maximum pressure ranged from 40.47 mm Hg/inch2 (SMT) to 55.39 for the highest scoring non-SMT mattress.
Conclusion
In a pressure mapping model, SMT clearly allows for reduction of average and maximum pressures versus non-SMT static mattresses. Clinically, this is likely to contribute significantly to the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.
Pressure relief is crucial for prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, and mattresses play a pivotal role in this effort.
Surface Modification Technology (SMT™) is an innovative manufacturing process which can be used to generate high levels of very-specific pressure redistribution. The technology uses a large percentage of materials from renewable natural resources and prevents toxic emissions during the production process.
Test method
To test the claimed pressure redistribution advantages, pressures on SMT foam mattresses (regular and bariatric) were compared with those of traditional, commercially-available medical mattresses. Using the XSensor pressure mapping system (XSENSOR Technology Corp., Calgary, Canada) maximum pressure (anywhere on the body) and average pressure (over the entire body surface) were measured on supine human subjects and expressed as a percentage versus the best performing mattress.
Results
Among 11 regular mattresses, maximum pressures anywhere on the body ranged from 35.39 (SMT) to 58.34 mm Hg/inch2 and average pressures ranged from 20.19 to 14.95 (SMT) mm Hg/inch2. Expressed as a performance difference versus the best performing mattress (SMT), differences ranged from 34-65%. In bariatric mattresses, the SMT mattress performed 22 and 37% better than the two regular bariatric mattresses while the maximum pressure ranged from 40.47 mm Hg/inch2 (SMT) to 55.39 for the highest scoring non-SMT mattress.
Conclusion
In a pressure mapping model, SMT clearly allows for reduction of average and maximum pressures versus non-SMT static mattresses. Clinically, this is likely to contribute significantly to the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.