Skin Integrity

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WHY IT MATTERS

ULCERS IN THE OR

THE CHALLENGE

THE SOLUTION

Practices | Research | Technology

THE SOLUTION: TECHNOLOGY: STATIC SURFACES

Functional Layers Found in Pads

VISCOELASTIC FOAM TABLE PAD
Conforming Layer alone

The conforming layer is low resilience and so cannot ‘spring’ into the gaps. This leaves areas of high pressure next to completely unsupported areas

STANDARD ELASTIC FOAM TABLE PAD
Support Layer alone

The support layer is non-conforming and so cannot fill the gaps. This leaves areas of high pressure next to completely unsupported areas

PRESSURE REDISTRIBUTION TABLE PAD
Conforming Layer, Support Layer, Anti-Bottoming Layer, Diaphragm Layer

The support layer pushes the conforming layer into the gaps. This creates more surface area over which to distribute the pressure.

PRESSURE REDISTRIBUTION TABLE PAD WITH GEL OVERLAY
Gel Overlay, Conforming Layer, Support Layer, Anti-Bottoming Layer, Diaphragm Layer

The gel overlay cannot be compressed or stretched so it stops the other layers from functioning as intended. This leaves areas of high pressure next to completely unsupported areas

Gel reduces shear
NOT pressure.

Shear can reduce
by 50% the amount of pressure that is required to cause vascular occlusion of a capillary.

GLOSSARY OF FOAM TERMS

Bottom Out
Lack of support under full weight load. This characteristic is often found in low-density foam. This term is very subjective, as a foam may bottom out with a heavy person, and be very comfortable to a lighter-weight individual.

Conforming
The ability of the foam to deflect at the surface and conform to the body shape, preventing a concentration of pressure on the body.

Compression Modules
A foam's ability to support force at different indentation levels. In most cases, the higher the density the greater the compression modulus.

Density
A measurement of the mass per unit volume.

Firmness
The number of pounds of force necessary to indent foam by 25% of its original height.

Pressure
A measurement of force distributed uniformly over a surface area.

Recovery
The return to original dimension and properties after a deforming force is removed.

Resilience
An indicator of the surface elasticity or ‘springiness’ of foam. Resilience is typically measured by dropping a steel ball onto the foam cushion and measuring how high the ball rebounds.

Support
The ability of the foam to hold the body in a relaxed position and allow free body movement by providing a firm base to push against.

Visit the Polyurethane Foam Assocation for more information