In the critically ill adult patient population, what is the impact of severity of illness and body mass index on interface pressure and tissue reperfusion time in the Supine semi-recumbent and Lateral 1/4 turn position when compared to healthy controls?

The study recruited 23 ICU patients and nine healthy adult volunteers. The study found that when considering age, the sickest group of ICU patients had the highest peek pressure point readings and the healthy adults had the lowest peek pressure point readings (p=0.093). Older adults were also found to have higher peek ressure point readings when compared to younger adults. The participants body temperature was found to be related to the speed of tissue reperfusion (p=0.091). This pilot study has identifed that there is a difference in peek pressure point outcomes for levels of sickness of ICU patients and healthy volunteers, which is a first for this patient population.