Affiliation:
1. Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
2. Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
3. Kingfisher Medical Inc., Westerville, OH 43081, USA
4. Bloodstone Division, LLC, Tampa, FL 33611, USA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction
The development of pressure ulcers during aeromedical transport of combat casualties is an issue that continues to exist, especially during long transport flights. This study investigated the potential for a new intervention, an air-inflated insulating mattress pad (IMP) that has a pump system designed to alternate the pressurization of air cells under the patient, thus temporally shifting the pressure concentration locations.
Materials and Methods
In a repeated measures design study, 12 participants experienced the following four simulated transport conditions, each for 90 minutes: (1) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) litter by itself (control condition), (2) the NATO litter covered with the standard mattress pad (Warrior Evacuation Pad), (3) the NATO litter covered with the air-inflated mattress (IMP), and (4) the NATO litter, covered with the standard mattress pad that was covered by the insulating mattress pad. Peak pressure readings were obtained every 15 seconds under the head, torso, pelvis, legs, and heels.
Results
While both mattress pads significantly reduced the peak pressures relative to the litter-only condition, the new IMP with the alternating cell pressurizations, by itself or in combination with the standard mattress pad, further reduced the peak pressures under the regions with the localized highest pressures, namely the head, pelvis, and heels. Moreover, the IMP with alternating pressure introduced the most variability in the peak pressure readings, which reduces the peak pressure exposure periods for specific tissue locations.
Conclusions
The IMP with alternating cell pressurizations could further reduce the likelihood of pressure injuries during aeromedical transport of combat casualties.
Funder
David Grant USAF Medical Centers Clinical Investigation Facility
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,General Medicine
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