THE EFFECTIVENESS OF 100% COTTON TOWEL AND AIR MATTRESS IN PREVENTING OF PRESSURE ULCERS

Objectives: this study was conducted in order to research use of 100% cotton towel and effectiveness air mattress in preventing pressure ulcers. material and methods: totally 40 patients established the study sample. a hundred percent cotton towel is used for 20 patients in the first group and air mattress was used for 20 patients in the second group. the patients skin surfaces who were included in the study, were observed everyday from beginining the first day of intensive care unit to development of first-degree pressure sore, transfer to clinic or exitus the discharge day from intensive care unit. statistical analysis of data were conducted by chi-square and fisher’s exact chi-square tests. results and conclusion: in the first group of five patients (25%) and in second group of three patients (15%) developed pressure ulcers. with regards to the prevention of pressure ulcers, no statistically significant difference was found between two method (p=0,695). differences between first and second group for onset of epidermis deformation, age of patients, diagnosis, body type, hemoglobin level, albumin level, consciousness status, risk groups determined by braden scale were not statisticially significant (p>0,05). it was found that these variables do not affect development of pressure ulcer. acording to the study conclusion, onset of pressure ulcer rate is lower in air mattress group than 100 % cotton towel group but there is no statistically significant difference between two groups.