The healthcare and assisted living sector has always moved at a pace in terms of technological advancements and looking for new processes and techniques. The aim is always to provide the best level of care and comfort to assist patients and long-term care residents. One of the biggest areas where a difference can be made is in the choice of mattress supplier. Working with a reputable mattress supplier that has experience and expertise in supporting healthcare clients helps you to ensure the highest level of quality in the mattress manufacturing process and puts your patients and care residents first. Pressure care mattresses have become a vital part of healthcare services where beds are required. This post will take a look at why and how the industry has changed to make it so.
What are bed sores and pressure ulcers?
Pressure ulcers and bed sores are interchangeable terms for the same condition. They refer to injuries that are caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. This is a common condition amongst those who spend long periods in bed, such as hospital patients and care home residents. The areas in which bed sores often develop are where the bone is close to the skin. This is why in patients and care residents without proper care and the correct mattresses, you’ll often see ulcers and pressure sores appearing on elbows, hips, heels, and the tailbone.
Why are bed sores dangerous for patients?
In the early stages of pressure ulcers, they appear as patches of the skin that are discoloured in the same way that you’d look at a bruise. If they are not dealt with, however, bed sores can develop beyond the bruising and become large, open wounds. In the worst cases, the bone and muscle may even be revealed.
What causes bed sores?
There are a range of factors that can cause bed sores and pressure ulcers. Immobility in a person, leading to sitting in the same position on a chair for hours on end or being in bed permanently, can cause the issue. Some existing medical conditions can contribute to the issues, as can poor nutrition, but it is mainly down to a long period of immobility.
How does a pressure care mattress work?
The key design elements of a pressure care mattress are integral to the care of the person using it. These features help to reduce instances of pressure sores and ulcers:
- Redistribution of pressure – a pressure care mattress distributes weight across the surface, preventing one part of the body from suffering from all the pressure for too long.
- Greater support – the best pressure care mattresses are designed to adapt to each individual person, offering enhanced support properties.
- Better airflow – breathable materials in pressure mattresses help to prevent the buildup of moisture, reducing instances of skin issues.
Choosing the right mattress is key, and with the help of experts in the field of mattresses for the healthcare sector, you can order the right mattress for your patients.
The best mattress supplier for you is one that follows mattress manufacturing processes that match the stringent needs of the healthcare sector. If you have patients in a hospital or long-term residents in a care home, it is likely that you face the challenges of pressure sores and ulcers on a regular basis. Pressure care mattresses have become very important to these settings, helping to provide a higher level of comfort to patients and care home residents, lowering the instances of pressure sores and ulcers, and providing a better route to recovery in those being treated, and comfort for those with long-term needs.
