We have
been slowly growing our website to include a number of mobility and medical
related products.
In
particular we have started to display a range of pressure relieving mattresses
for people who are at a high risk of pressure sores.
There are two
types of mattress available, memory foam or alternating mattress both will work
very well however nursing and care facilities tend to lean towards using a
mattress system as they can be maintained and set depending on the type of
client who is using them.
Alternating Mattresses
An alternating
mattress can be known as a few several names:
- Alternating Mattress System
- Air Flow Mattress
- Pressure Therapy Mattress
- Air Mattress System
- Pressure Care System
An
alternating system works by inflating cells underneath a client in alternating
fashion so that the pressure of someone lying in bed.
The rate that these mattresses alternate is set via an attached pump/ motor that controls the rate of air flowing through the mattress. These pumps will differ depending on the weight of the patient or how at risk the patient is of contracting pressure sores.
To find out which mattress to use a specialist will carry out a risk assessment on patient which is scored using the waterlow score, this assesses the patients age, medical condition and other factors.
The air mattress is chosen based on this scale.
Air Mattresses for Low Risk Patients.
For patients at a low risk of pressure sores can use a foam mattress or a bubble system as pictured above, although this system has limited therapy and can be classed as a comfort product it will add extra comfort for patients who are not bed bound.
Air Mattresses for Medium to High Risk Patients
These mattresses are slightly more robust and are used for most patients in a care or nursing home, the mattress pictured above has large cells that alternate and is classed as an overlay mattress so it can be placed on top of an existing mattress. by placing an overlay mattress over a foam underlay increases the type of therapy applied.
You tend to find that for patients that are at a greater risk of contracting pressure sores a full replacement mattress is required, these systems include 2 types of therapy, Air Cell Alternation and added foam for extra pressure relief. there are also many pumps available to suit.
Air Mattresses for High Risk Patients
High risk mattress are also very robust and offer great control over the entire system via the pump, in some instances the mattresses offer patient rotation, this means the mattress will alternate and deflate on one side slowly to rotate the patient eliminating the need for nursing during the night.
These mattresses tend to be for bed ridden patients who are required to spend extended periods of time in bed.
We currently have our full selection of air flow mattress on our website however if you require any help or advice on choosing the right equipment, please don't hesitate to contact us on 01704 553 773 or email enquiries to orders@bmsupplies.co.uk
