Standardizing Support Surface Testing and Reporting

Abstract

In 2001, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel's Research Committee identified the need to create uniform terminology, test methods, and reporting technical standards for support surfaces. As a result, the S3I Committee was formed and initial meetings of interested stakeholders who included clinicians, researchers, academics, manufacturers, providers, and regulators were held. The group's initial goal was to (1) establish common language to facilitate understanding by developing standardized terminology for describing and discussing support surfaces, (2) establish a suite of standardized tests of performance capable of repeatedly, reliably, and accurately reporting upon characteristics common to all support surfaces that are believed to be related to the extrinsic risk factors associated with skin breakdown, as indicated by the literature to date, and (3) identify and standardize methods to evaluate the effective life of a support surface. The purpose of this article was to summarize the current status of the effort of the Support Surface Standards Initiative (S3I) Committee to identify and standardize methods to evaluate the many characteristic factors that determine the effective life of a support surface.

Use of a Shear Reduction Surface for Prehospital Transport: A Randomized Crossover Study

“…The distinctive considerations of prehospital transport surfaces (durability, portability, moisture resistance, and firmness sufficient to resist collapse) may not seem consistent with current evidence-based PI prevention recommendations related to support surfaces. 7 Indeed, prehospital transport has some challenges regarding PI prevention. Although many ground ambulance trips last less than 30 minutes, interfacility transfers may last several hours.…”

“…Although much work has been done to test healthcare and hospital support surfaces for PI prevention, 7 these recommendations have not been universally incorporated into the prehospital transport environment. Standard support surfaces used in prehospital transport are designed to provide firm support, easy portability, and moisture vapor impermeability.…”

A Mathematical Model Relating Foam Material Properties to Heightened Interface Pressure between a Human and Mattress Surface

“…Various approaches have been taken to assess a patients risk of developing a pressure injury. If a patient is found at risk, the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel's (NPIAP) Support Surface Standard Initiative (S3I) has defined standards useful for assessing and selecting new mattresses capable of reducing injury (Stone et al, 2015). Specifically, Table 1 defines S3I's three measures related to material properties:…”