Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the interface pressure (IP) of patients using a standard hospital mattress and polyurethane foam mattress as support surfaces and present cut-off points for IP in patients who exhibited skin changes. A total of 189 inpatients enrolled from six general wards and three intensive care units at a Korean University Hospital. Skin changes were classified, and peak IP at the sacral and occipital regions was measured using a pressure scanner. Differences in IPs according to mattress type were analysed using independent t-tests. The receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to determine the cut-off point, and the area under the curve with a 95% confidence interval was obtained using the Stata 15.1.program. The IP for a standard hospital mattress was significantly higher than that of a polyurethane foam mattress. The cut-off points for IP at the sacral region were 52.90 and 30.15 mm Hg for a standard hospital mattress and polyurethane foam mattress, respectively. The cut-off point for IP at the occipital region was 36.40 mm Hg for a polyurethane foam mattress. Using IP measurements to prevent pressure injuries is important and employ individualised interventions based on the cut-off points for different support surfaces.