An investigation of interface pressures in low air loss beds.

Prospective randomised trials indicate that the low air loss bed is a successful method of treatment for pressure sores. To study the properties of these beds interface pressures were measured in two different low air loss beds. Ten healthy volunteers had eight readings at six different body sites taken supine and sitting. Occipital and heel pressures for both products exceeded 4.7 kPa, the accepted capillary closing pressure, while pressures at other sites were below this. These findings suggest that pressure relief alone is not the sole reason for the clinical acceptance of low air loss beds in the treatment of pressure sores.