Different Support Surfaces for Pressure Injury Prevention

AORN recommends that an interdisciplinary team establish which types of support surfaces the facility will use for pressure injury prevention. 1 Support surfaces redistribute the pressure of a patient's body against the hard surface beneath them. 1 They can be high-technology (electrically powered, providing alternating pressure) or low-technology (not electrically powered, providing constant pressure).2 Support surfaces are commonly comprised of either foam, gel, air, or fluid. 1 More research is needed to determine which support surfaces are the best. 1 However, foam overlays are considered one of the least effective options for pressure injury prevention. 1 More effective supports surfaces include reactive air surfaces, alternating pressure air surfaces, large-celled ripple mattresses, and reactive gel surfaces.1