With all the various support surfaces on the market, determining which surface is best suited for an individual can be confusing. But what if there was a support surface Consumer’s Report? A guide to compare the many different surfaces could give the HME provider an upper hand. After all, the more the provider knows, the happier the customer is, and a satisfied customer increases sales and reduces the incidence of pressure sores. Fortunately for HME providers, this kind of support surface guide is being created.

The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), a nonprofit professional organization established in 1987, developed the Support Surface Standards Initiative (S3I) in January 2001, not only to develop a scientifically based system to test and objectively characterize support surfaces, but also to benefit all those concerned with support surfaces.

“We view the development of standardized tests and reporting guidelines as impacting everyone involved in support surface use and procurement,” says Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT, speaker on the NPUAP Support Surface Standards Initiative at Medtrade 2001.

“I look at the S3I as a means to facilitate communication between all interested parties,” he says. An HME provider will be better equipped to explain technology differences and will be able to judiciously select products that fill an intended product line but avoid redundancy.

Medtrade 2001 provided an opportunity for S3I members to meet for the first time, which helped conference participants understand the work of this volunteer effort and learn the current status of S3I.

The standards will not evaluate which surface is better or worse; instead, they will place characteristics along a continuum to allow individuals to select an appropriate clinical match. This allows clinicians and providers to make a more informed decision about what characteristics are ideal for an individual, considering no one support surface as best for everyone.

In order for S3I to be a success, active participation and adequate funding are necessary. With a spring 2003 goal of a final draft of the support surface guidelines, there is a lot of preparation in store for those involved. “The project will not survive without participation and support of all interested parties,” Sprigle says. “By this, we mean labor and effort as well as financial support. Hopefully, we will be able to maintain our ambitious timetable, but that will depend on the support available.”

For information on upcoming meetings or to be on the S3I mailing list, contact: Lisa Frase, NPUAP S3I Administrator, National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr, Ste 8, Reston, VA 20190-5202; (703) 464-4849; lisaf@drohanmgmt.com;   www.npuap.org.

For specific information on the content of the S3I, contact: Dr Stephen Sprigle, Helen Hayes Hospital, Rte 9W, West Haverstraw, NY 10993; (845) 786-4806; gogators@compuserve.com.

—Marissa Shira