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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03483623

NATO Litter: Fluid Immersion System (FIS) Versus Traditional Mattress for Pressure Dispersion

The purpose of this study is to measure peak skin interface pressures and the total area of the body exposed to skin interface pressure above 30 mm Hg at different areas of the body in the supine position on two different support surfaces applied to a standard North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) litter (NSN: 6530-01-380-7309) and a Raven 90C Litter (NSN6530-01-432-5114). The support surfaces are the Warrior Evacuation Litter Pad (WELP) and the Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation Stretcher System (FIS). These pressure measurements and transcutaneous oxygenation readings will allow us to determine differences between support surfaces.

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Key information

Conditions

Pressure Distribution Military Litters Peak Pressure Index Tissue Perfusion Total Surface Area

Age range

19 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

David Grant Medical Center

Travis Air Force Base, California, 94535, United States

About this study

The purpose of this study is to measure peak skin interface pressures and the total area of the body exposed to skin interface pressure above 30 mm Hg at different areas of the body in the supine position on two different support surfaces applied to a standard North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) litter (NSN: 6530-01-380-7309) and a Raven 90C Litter (NSN6530-01-432-5114). The Raven 90C is the official litter for the U.S. Navy. It is approved for flight on United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft. It can be easily folded for storage and transport to remote settings. The support surfaces are the Warrior Evacuation Litter Pad (WELP) and the Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation Stretcher System (FIS). In theory, mattresses that reduce and/or minimize pressure on the capillary bed's perfusion can help reduce pressure related injury such as pressure or decubitus ulcer development. Skin interface pressure measurements using a pressure mapping system and transcutaneous oxygenation readings will allow us to determine these differences between support surfaces. A better understanding of skin interface pressure associated with the litter support surfaces is vital for military nurses to develop and implement preventative interventions to reduce pressure ulcer development in our patients. In addition, this study will provide information to help determine the usefulness and feasibility of incorporating the fluid immersion system (FIS) as a litter support surface.

This research protocol has one major aim:

To determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP and the Dolphin FIS

There are also two secondary aims:

  • To determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities of the WELP when used as the mattress on the NATO litter and Raven litter.
  • To determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities of the Dolphin FIS when used as the mattress on the NATO litter and Raven litter.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults over the age of 18 years with lawful access to Travis Air Force Base (AFB)

Exclusion criteria

  • Orthopedic or neurological conditions that prevent a subject from lying flat (supine) without any pillows for head, neck, or lumbar support
  • Medical conditions (such as an uncontrollable tremor or twitch) that prevent a subject from staying still for the required periods of time (20 minute increments).
  • Pregnancy
  • Inability to ambulate unassisted, unstable gate (presenting increased fall risk)
  • Extremity prosthetics (hand/arm or foot/leg)
  • Height greater than 72 inches (6 feet) - exceeds length of the litter & mattress surfaces
  • Body weight greater than 300 lbs
  • Subjects who find it difficult, uncomfortable or impossible to remain still for the necessary study time durations (20 minute increments) on the relatively narrow litter surfaces will be removed from the study.
  • Subject does not speak or understand the English language

Treatment and study plan

NATO WELP combination

Other

Interface pressure will be measured using the XSensor X3 Pressure Mapping System. Transducers will be placed near both scapula. Measures will be obtained in upright (baseline) and supine positions on 4 randomly assigned litter mattress combinations. Constant TCPO2 measures, as well as peak pressures and total body surface area exposed to skin will be measured for the occiput, sacrum, both scapula, buttocks and heel areas. It will take about 20 minutes for each combination. The session is complete after all measures have been obtain for all litter/mattress combinations.

NATO FIS combination

Other

Interface pressure will be measured using the XSensor X3 Pressure Mapping System. Transducers will be placed near both scapula. Measures will be obtained in upright (baseline) and supine positions on 4 randomly assigned litter mattress combinations. Constant TCPO2 measures, as well as peak pressures and total body surface area exposed to skin will be measured for the occiput, sacrum, both scapula, buttocks and heel areas. It will take about 20 minutes for each combination. The session is complete after all measures have been obtain for all litter/mattress combinations.

RAVEN WELP combination

Other

Interface pressure will be measured using the XSensor X3 Pressure Mapping System. Transducers will be placed near both scapula. Measures will be obtained in upright (baseline) and supine positions on 4 randomly assigned litter mattress combinations. Constant TCPO2 measures, as well as peak pressures and total body surface area exposed to skin will be measured for the occiput, sacrum, both scapula, buttocks and heel areas. It will take about 20 minutes for each combination. The session is complete after all measures have been obtain for all litter/mattress combinations.

RAVEN FIS combination

Other

Interface pressure will be measured using the XSensor X3 Pressure Mapping System. Transducers will be placed near both scapula. Measures will be obtained in upright (baseline) and supine positions on 4 randomly assigned litter mattress combinations. Constant TCPO2 measures, as well as peak pressures and total body surface area exposed to skin will be measured for the occiput, sacrum, both scapula, buttocks and heel areas. It will take about 20 minutes for each combination. The session is complete after all measures have been obtain for all litter/mattress combinations.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pressure Redistribution: Peak Pressure Index

    Time frame: 0 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP and the Dolphin FIS when used as mattress on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution qualities will be measured in mmHg using XSensor X3 pressure mapping technology. To minimize the risk of a faulty sensor or false reading over one sensor, the average of eight cells around the region will be recorded and referred to as the Peak Pressure Index (PPI). Peak interface pressure is the highest average pressure (mm Hg) measured over vulnerable bony prominences (occiput, sacrum, and bilateral scapula, buttocks, and heels) at 0 minutes. PPI will be measured in mm Hg and the mean will be reported

  2. Pressure Redistribution: Peak Pressure Index

    Time frame: 5 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP and the Dolphin FIS when used as mattress on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution qualities will be measured in mmHg using XSensor X3 pressure mapping technology. To minimize the risk of a faulty sensor or false reading over one sensor, the average of eight cells around the region will be recorded and referred to as the Peak Pressure Index (PPI). Peak interface pressure is the highest average pressure (mm Hg) measured over vulnerable bony prominences (occiput, sacrum, and bilateral scapula, buttocks, and heels) at 5 minutes. PPI will be measured in mm Hg and the mean will be reported

  3. Pressure Redistribution: Peak Pressure Index

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP and the Dolphin FIS when used as mattress on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution qualities will be measured in mmHg using XSensor X3 pressure mapping technology. To minimize the risk of a faulty sensor or false reading over one sensor, the average of eight cells around the region will be recorded and referred to as the Peak Pressure Index (PPI). Peak interface pressure is the highest average pressure (mm Hg) measured over vulnerable bony prominences (occiput, sacrum, and bilateral scapula, buttocks, and heels) at 10 minutes. PPI will be measured in mm Hg and the mean will be reported

  4. Pressure Redistribution: Peak Pressure Index

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP and the Dolphin FIS when used as mattress on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution qualities will be measured in mmHg using XSensor X3 pressure mapping technology. To minimize the risk of a faulty sensor or false reading over one sensor, the average of eight cells around the region will be recorded and referred to as the Peak Pressure Index (PPI). Peak interface pressure is the highest average pressure (mm Hg) measured over vulnerable bony prominences (occiput, sacrum, and bilateral scapula, buttocks, and heels) at 15 minutes. PPI will be measured in mm Hg and the mean will be reported

  5. Pressure Redistribution: Total Surface Area (TSA) > 30 mm Hg

    Time frame: 0 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP when used on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution will be measured over vulnerable bony prominences as total area of body exposed to skin interface pressures exceeding 30 mm Hg while subjects are in the supine position at 0 minutes. This measure will be expressed as cm2 and the mean will be reported

  6. Pressure Redistribution: Total Surface Area (TSA) > 30 mm Hg

    Time frame: 5 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP when used on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution will be measured over vulnerable bony prominences as total area of body exposed to skin interface pressures exceeding 30 mm Hg while subjects are in the supine position at 5 minutes. This measure will be expressed as cm2 and the mean will be reported

  7. Pressure Redistribution: Total Surface Area (TSA) > 30 mm Hg

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP when used on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution will be measured over vulnerable bony prominences as total area of body exposed to skin interface pressures exceeding 30 mm Hg while subjects are in the supine position at 10 minutes. This measure will be expressed as cm2 and the mean will be reported

  8. Pressure Redistribution: Total Surface Area (TSA) > 30 mm Hg

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    Determine the difference in the pressure redistribution qualities between the WELP when used on the NATO litter and Raven litter. Pressure redistribution will be measured over vulnerable bony prominences as total area of body exposed to skin interface pressures exceeding 30 mm Hg while subjects are in the supine position at 15 minutes. This measure will be expressed as cm2 and the mean will be reported

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center

Fed

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Mar 30, 2018
Registry last updated
Mar 25, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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