Abstract
Pressure injuries (PI) represent a main concern for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and a serious healthcare burden, as more than 95% of SCI individuals will develop PI within their lifetime, and hospital-acquired PI ranges from 29.7% to 49.2%. Support surface refers to “a specialized device for pressure redistribution designed for management of tissue loads, micro-climate, and/or other therapeutic functions” as defined by the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP). Support surfaces are thus a critical component of the comprehensive plan for PI prevention and treatment. Various types have been developed, comprising different mechanisms for pressure redistribution, horizontal stiffness, and micro-climate management. In this chapter, evidence pertaining to support surfaces is discussed to determine the effectiveness of different support surfaces for prevention and treatment of PI based on their specific properties. This chapter aims to support clinicians in the decision-making process of selecting a support surface for hospitalized individuals with SCI, based on their characteristics and needs.
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