As we approach the last months of 2008 a new initiative is emerging that will have a significant future impact upon the use of pressure-redistributing mattresses and beds! The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has long been exploring the technical evaluation of wheelchairs and wheelchair cushions and ISO 16840-2:2007 sets out methods for the evaluation and description of cushions primarily for use in wheelchairs but also relevant for the cushions when used in other seated environments. While this work has been underway the obvious requirement for expansion into pressure-redistributing mattresses was evident and a new working group has been considering the description of static mattresses with this work flowing in part from the US Support Surface Standards Initiative (S3I) part of the activities of the US NPUAP. You can sign up to the S3I web-page at http://www.npuap.org/archive/s3i.htm. This initiative began to involve European clinicians and researchers when focus was placed upon the measurement and clinical interpretation of shear with input from the EPUAP and the Japanese Society of Pressure Ulcers (JSPU). Now the working groups are expanding to look at the creation of an ISO standard for the laboratory evaluation of all pressure redistributing mattresses including alternating pressure systems. The alternating pressure working group will come together for the first time in Berlin in late October 2008 and seek to find ways of describing the performance of these common interventions in pressure ulcer prevention and management. This working group will probably be the main European contribution to the future ISO standard and will also purchasers and clinicians to be fully informed regarding the likely performance of alternating pressure systems allowing appropriate comparison between the myriad dynamic mattresses available to the NHS. This newsletter will keep readers informed of progress as the work towards an emerging ISO standard continues over the next three years!

Michael Clark
Editor