Evidence-based practice and support surfaces: are we throwing the baby out with the bath water?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore aspects of the effectiveness of three pressure-redistributing support surfaces in routine clinical practice.

METHOD: A non-randomised prospective cohort study was used, with skin outcomes reported for 219 subjects at risk of pressure ulcer development.

RESULTS: Few instances of new pressure damage were observed; these related to specific clinical issues, such as incontinence and inadequate use of cushions when sitting. Of the 77 subjects (33.3%) with pressure ulcers on recruitment into the study, most (n=70) either improved or remained unchanged following allocation of the support surface.

CONCLUSION: Cohort studies do not indicate the efficacy of an intervention but may give an indication of effectiveness--that is, the clinical outcomes that may be observed in routine clinical practice.