Pressure distribution analysis of x-ray table mattresses

Alresheedi, N; Walton, LA; Tootell, AK; Webb, J; Hogg, P

Abstract

Background
There is a risk of developing pressure ulcers from lying on an X-ray table mattress, if the
mattress pressure redistribution properties are poor.

Aim:
To assess the pressure redistribution properties of ‘new’ and ‘in current clinical use’ X-ray
table mattresses.

Methods and materials:
Twenty one X-ray table mattresses, each of 2.5 cm thickness, were evaluated. An
anthropomorphic human phantom of adult stature with five different weights (minimum, first
quartile, mean, third quartile and maximum) was used to simulate human head, pelvis and
heels (pressure ulcer jeopardy areas). Using Xsensor technology, peak pressure was measured
and Interface Pressure Ratio was calculated for the three pressure ulcer jeopardy areas ‘with’
and ‘without’ an X-ray table mattress.

Results:
For all mattresses, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the peak
pressure values with and without using an X-ray table mattress for the three pressure ulcer
jeopardy areas; similarly, for all mattresses, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were
found between the Interface Pressure Ratio values with and without using x-ray table mattress.
The type and age of the mattress was observed to have an impact on peak pressure values and
Interface Pressure Ratios, with older mattresses performing worse.

Conclusion:
Peak pressure values and Interface Pressure Ratios are reduced significantly when using
newer X-ray table mattresses. This could be because newer mattresses use more appropriate
materials in their construction and/or older mattresses have lost their pressure redistribution
properties. Radiology departments should consider assessing mattresses pressure
redistribution properties, perhaps on an annual basis.

Citation

Alresheedi, N., Walton, L., Tootell, A., Webb, J., & Hogg, P. (2021). Pressure distribution analysis of x-ray table mattresses. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 52(1), 97-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2020.11.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 6, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 15, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Nov 9, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 15, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
• Print ISSN: 1939-8654
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 97-103
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2020.11.001
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2020.11.001
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-medical-imaging-and-radiation-sciences/