Authors' recommendations: For prevention of pressure ulcers in acute care, OHTAC recommends that a high-density foam mattress should be provided to all persons receiving acute care. For prevention of pressure ulcers in the operating room, a high-quality support surface (foam or gel) should be used during surgical procedures longer than 90 minutes. Strong evidence exists for using a gel pad for this population. For prevention of pressure ulcers in long-term care, a high-density foam mattress should be provided to all residents in long-term care facilities. The Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) should use the Braden Scale or Pressure Ulcer Risk Score to assess a client's risk for developing a pressure ulcer. Where risk is identified, a high-density foam mattress should be used to prevent development of pressure ulcers in a community care setting. For prevention of pressure ulcers in the emergency department, OHTAC recommends using a high-density foam mattress for all persons accessing emergency department care. Given new evidence presented to OHTAC in June 2012 and results of a study supported by OHTAC, it is recommended that persons with Braden scores of 10 or greater using a high-density foam mattress be turned a minimum of every 4 hours. Individuals with Braden scores of less than 10 should continue to be repositioned every 2 hours.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/Documents/eds/ohtas/recommendation-turn-1410-en.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Health Quality Ontario

Contact Address: Evidence Development and Standards, Health Quality Ontario, 130 Bloor Street West, 10th floor, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5S 1N5

Contact Name: EDSinfo@hqontario.ca

Contact Email: OH-HQO_hta-reg@ontariohealth.ca

Copyright: Health Quality Ontario