For patients with complex conditions selection of the appropriate pressure redistributing mattress can be complicated by many factors. For groups at significant risk such as those in intensive or critical care, those at the end of life or those who it is difficult to reposition this selection becomes even more complex with only a small range of products able to meet the need to both prevent pressure damage and meet the rest of the patients care needs. This paper presents a summary of 91 individual evaluations carried out across 12 hospitals in the UK of the Dolphin Fluid Immersion System, a relatively new product which redistributes pressure by immersion as recommended in the international pressure ulcer prevention guideline (NPUAP et al, 2014).
