What are Pressure Ulcer/Bed Sores?

Even though it is the largest organ of the human body, the skin does not receive as much attention as the other organs. This “negligence” can have severe impact on a critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. Patients bedridden for a long time face the risk of developing pressure ulcers on their skin.

• When skin is in direct contact with the mattress for longer periods of time pressure ulcers occur due to tissue ischemia (reduced blood flow) in the skin.
• It usually occurs on bony prominences due to the pressure of the bone against the hard surface.
• Blood vessels get compressed and prevents oxygen and other nutrients from reaching the skin cells.
• This leads to skin breakdown which further leads to ulcer formation.

Why is an Alternating Pressure Air Mattress (APAM) better?

• Unlike the standard Constant Low Pressure- CLP mattresses (Foam mattress, gel filled, water filled, etc) that remains static, APAMs have internal air cells that inflate and deflate in an alternating fashion. This ensures that no body part of the patient is in constant contact with the mattress continuously.
• The continuous motion prevents direct pressure on the body which avoids the blockage of blood vessels to the skin.
• The alternating function also ensures aeration and makes sure that the skin cells receive enough oxygen to avoid pressure ulcers.
• Numerous studies have shown that APAMs are more effective than CLP mattresses. The results showed that CLP mattresses had a 33.9 % incidence of pressure ulcers whereas APAMs had an incidence rate of only 13%. [6]
• Another comparison study showed that the incidence rate for a standard foam mattress was 13.5% whereas APAMS had an incidence rate of 5.9%. [6]
• APAMs have a delayed formation of pressure ulcers which results in reduced hospital stay when used, as compared to CLPs