Pressure effects from the military stretcher.

Attention is drawn to a possible deficiency in the folding pole canvas stretcher. Canvas tensioning and uniformity of support in the variety of stretcher where the canvas is attached by screws and metal strips was noted to be defective. High interface pressures were found on this type of stretcher, a problem not encountered in stretchers where the canvas tensioning is with regularly spaced tacks. Patients supported on the screw and strip variety may be at a higher risk of pressure necrosis.