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Serving hospitals, surgery centers and physicians since 1995
Surgery Table Pad Pressure Map Comparison
Compare the high pressure red areas at the head and heels on the below pressure maps. The yellow color indicates a slightly lower pressure. The blue color as shown below with the Softcare Memory Foam Pad shows the least amount of pressure.
2" Standard and Deluxe Pad Pressure Map with a male subject, 5' 9" 200 lbs. in the supine position
2" Standard Pad Pressure Map 2" Standard Pad Cutaway Sample
The Standard Pad features a high density #2860 polyurethane foam and a conductive Herculite Lectrolite cover. The Deluxe Pad has the same type of foam. But it includes a flexible, pliable fusion cover with similar pressure map readings. Warranty: 1 year.
2" Poly Foam/ Gel Layer Pad Pressure Map with a male subject, 5' 9" 200 lbs. in the supine position
2" Poly Foam/ Gel Layer Pad Pressure Map 2" Polyfoam/ Gel Layer Pad Cutaway Sample
This Poly Foam/ Gel Layer Pad includes an integral layer of Blue Diamond Gel® and a high density polyurethane foam for sheer reduction and some pressure relief. The stretchable, pliable conductive fusion cover provides added comfort and aids in the prevention of pressure ulcers during longer procedures. Seams are welded for a tight seal. Includes a 2 year warranty.
2" Softcare Memory Foam Pad Pressure Map with a male subject, 5' 9" 200 lbs. in the supine position
2" Softcare Memory Foam Pad Pressure Map 2" Softcare Pad Cutaway Sample
Our Softcare Memory Foam Pad features a double foam composite construction with a bottom layer of polyurethane foam. The top layer consists of a visco-elastic material that cradles the patient's bony prominences and molds to their anatomy. This top layer of memory foam provides added patient comfort and aids in the prevention of pressure ulcers during longer procedures. 

A stretchable, pliable conductive fusion cover with a polyurethane coated stretch knit material means added durability and longer life. Seams are welded for a tight seal. Features a 2 year warranty. Page 1 of 3 pages, ©2005 - 2010, SW Med-Source, All Rights Reserved.



SW Med-Source logo
Serving hospitals, surgery centers and physicians since 1995

Surgery Table Pad Pressure Reduction Chart
Surgery Table Pad Pressure Reduction Chart
The above chart indicates average pressure readings on three different types of pads with a male subject, 5' 9" 200 lbs. in the supine position. The horizontal line represents the capillary pressure of 32 mm Hg.  According to articles published in the AORN Journal, reducing pressure on O.R. table pads below 32 mm HG. is very important. SW Med-Source shares your concerns about O.R. pressure management. We are providing this chart to help you with your purchasing decision.

"Pressure ulcers form when external pressure exceeds the tissue capillary pressure of 25 to 32 mm Hg. This pressure impedes blood flow for a period of time causing altered tissue perfusion or tissue ischemia, resulting in the formation of an ulcer.”*  Patient characteristics, surgical experience variables and surgical table surfaces are some of the determinants of pressure ulcer development.

Costs: Researchers have found that pressure ulcers are a significant, independent predictor of hospital costs. "Each year, approximately 1.6 billion patients develop hospital-acquired pressure ulcers at a cost of $2.2 to $3.6 billion. Of these ulcers, 23% occur on surgical patients undergoing procedures lasting more than three hours and represent an annual direct cost of $750 million to $1.5 billion".*An Integrative Review of Pressure Relief in Surgical Patients, AORN Journal, Volume 73, Issue
3, Pages 645-674 (March 2001)

Note: The above pressure details compare 2" thick pads because this is what people usually buy. However based upon our pressure map comparisions, "The thicker the pad, the better the pressure readings". ©2005 - 2010, SW Med-Source, All Rights Reserved 




SW Med-Source logo
Serving hospitals, surgery centers and physicians since 1995

Pressure Reduction vs. Pressure Relief
New memory foam products help with O.R. pressure management.
New Memory Foam products help with O.R. pressure management.

The objective is to minimize pressure on the patient and the risk of decubitus ulcers.

But to be classified as providing “pressure relief,” maximum pad readings should be at 32 mm HG or lower.

“Pressure reduction” is considered to occur between 32 mm Hg and 50 mm Hg.  

Based upon maximum and not average readings, it’s been shown that even the most expensive visco- elastic memory foam pads seem to achieve only “pressure reduction levels”.

True comparisons’ are often challenging since some companies will do pressure map testing using someone who is about 5’9” and weighs just 123 lbs.

Obviously weight distributions and pressure readings will be slightly higher when the subject is 5’9” and weighs 200 lbs.  Testing results will also vary depending upon the type of foam, composite characteristics, pad firmness and  thickness, the amount of time spent on the pad and even the room temperature.

So claims of lower pressure readings can be deceiving. Although it's extremely difficult to achieve a 32 mm HG maximum pressure level with an average size person on a very thin 2” thick surgery table pad, new foam technology is bringing us closer to that point.

Some of the newer viscoelastic memory foams including the CONFOR® CF40 Foam product used with our Softcare Pad perform better in conforming to the shape of the human body and distributing pressure over the entire surface. They have been shown to provide much better pressure mapping results compared to those of conventional foams.

CONFOR® foams offer a unique combination of seemingly conflicting properties that are ideal for comfort management and protective padding applications. While they are slow to recover after deflection, they effectively resist compression set. They are ideal for medical and body contact cushioning applications according to the manufacturer’s testing data.

If pressure management is your primary concern, then you might ask how to choose between our moderately priced Softcare/ CONFOR® Memory Foam Pad and the very expensive name brand pads? Although we can sometimes provide references, we have found that most O.R. Directors are reluctant about being used as a reference. They are simply just too busy doing the job they are paid to do. And since we do not pay out "nursing grants or stipends" for someone to do a comparision and give their opinion about our pads, offering good valid references to you, the customer, is a challenge.

Considering all of the variables as detailed above and the fact that there are no independent studies comparing the major types of viscoelastic foams, then you might consider basing your purchasing decision on both the documents and the trust you place in the company. Some people believe they can trust a large company more than a smaller one. But paying top dollar for a table pad with a big company does not necessarily mean you're getting a better pad. It may mean you are just paying more!

Conclusion: Our Softcare CONFOR® Memory Foam Pad is a high quality pad without a big mark-up! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau with 0 complaints. And we have been in business since 1995. Hopefully this documentation has helped you with your decision. Please call us w/ any questions. Page 3 of 3, ©2005 - 2010, SW Med-Source, All Rights Reserved.