BACKGROUND Chest compression quality is decisive for overall outcome after cardiac arrest. Chest compression depth may decrease when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed on a mattress, and the use of a backboard does not necessarily improve compression depth. Mechanical chest compression devices may overcome this problem. OBJECTIVES We sought to investigate the effectiveness of ma...

It has previously been shown that a soft mattress lessens the degree of head flattening that occurs in preterm infants in the early weeks of life. A follow up study of 31 infants of < 32 weeks' gestation found head flattening had resolved by 3-4 years of age, regardless of the type of mattress used in the neonatal period, and the children had heads similar in shape to full term controls.

Warehouse management and operations of picking and dispatch in the supply chain and logistics are key factors for operational efficiency and client satisfaction. For this reason, the present article aims to develop a discrete simulation model that supports the analysis and evaluation of improvement alternatives for these operations. This model is for a medium size business in the mattress busin...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the horizontal mattress technique in microvascular anastomosis for size-mismatched vessels. METHODS The present study involved cadaveric simulation using size-mismatched (1.5:1) Thiel-embalmed cadaveric arteries. The authors performed horizontal mattress anastomoses using 9-0 nylon suture and recorded the procedure. Vessel patency was evaluated by saline infusion. Vessel...

OBJECTIVES So far, there has been no practical or toxicologically non-hazardous way to decimate mites - without interrupting use of beds - in their main reservoir on bed mattresses to such an extent that the allergic condtion of people suffering from house dust mite allergies is reduced or even remedied. As so-called HygienicWood was effective against mites under simulated conditions, the influ...

"Least costly but most effective" has never been more important to healthcare delivery than in the current healthcare environment of changing reimbursement systems. In wound care, the high costs associated with renting advanced support surfaces may be an area where expenses can be decreased if similar outcomes can be attained by using more affordable mattresses. This article compares the healin...

Four hundred and forty-six general, vascular and gynaecological surgical patients were recruited to a two centre, double triangular sequential randomised controlled trial to compare the post-operative pressure sore incidence in patients positioned on the standard operating table mattress with those positioned on the dry visco-elastic polymer pad (Action Products Inc.). Two hundred and twenty tw...

OBJECTIVE Present study is designed to evaluate the effects of preventing pressure ulcer in surgical patients with two types of pressure-relieving mattresses. METHODS 1074 surgical patients from 12 hospitals in China were divided into A group (static air mattress with repositioning every 2 hours, n = 562) and B group (power pressure air mattress with repositioning every 2 hours, n = 512). The...

A prospective randomised study of four different methods of leg wound skin closure after removal of the long saphenous vein was carried out in 113 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. These methods were: (1) continuous nylon vertical mattress suture (27 patients); (2) continuous subcuticular absorbable (Dexon) suture (29 patients); (3) metal skin staples (Autosuture) (27 patient...