Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K S Gebhardt

Publications and source records attributed to K S Gebhardt.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Evaluating alternating pressure overlays.

This study evaluates 53 overlays (six types of alternating pressure overlays) which were purchased, placed into the hospital pool and examined for mechanical malfunction and mismanagement every working day (excluding 22 days' annual leave) for one year. Reasons for malfunction were recorded and categorised. Results show that 69 mechanical failures and seven cases of physical damage were recorded. There were significant differences between the different types of overlay in performance and the length of time to effect repairs. There were 56 errors in management (mainly units not plugged in or not switched on) and five cases of design features contributing to mismanagement. Although some alternating pressure overlays perform better than others, mechanical unreliability remains a problem for most.

Beds↗
PubMed1998

Tissue viability.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1996

Pressure-relieving supports in an ICU.

Intensive care wards have a high incidence of pressure sores. This trial, in an eight-bed unit, aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of constant-low-pressure and alternating-pressure support systems for preventing pressure sores. Patients without sores with a Norton risk score of < 13 were allocated to either alternating- or constant-low-pressure supports according to their hospital number. The cheapest supports were used initially, and changed for more sophisticated types if the patient's pressure areas deteriorated. None of the 23 patients using low-cost alternating-pressure supports developed open sores and only one had to be transferred to a more sophisticated mattress because of persistent erythema. Eleven out of 20 patients on constant-low-pressure mattresses or overlays developed either persistent erythema (three) or sores (eight). Ten were transferred to more expensive support systems. The mean cost of supports per patient in the alternating-pressure group was 44.50 pounds and in the constant-low-pressure group 86.20 pounds.

Adult↗