Antimicrobial Fabrics in Pressure Management Mattresses for Healthcare

Pressure management ulcer prevention and the prevention of other superficial skin injuries are vital aspects of inpatient hospital care. 70% of pressure ulcers are manageable by providing pressure management beds. This means there is an ongoing demand for pressure management mattresses in the U.S., opening up a considerable growth potential for your company.

Patient care in a hospital must prioritize support surface selection and identifying available products to ensure patient comfort and the most suitable surface for each individual’s needs. While providing exact support surfaces for every patient may be unrealistic, access to options, such as various mattress pads, enhances patient comfort. Identifying niche mattress market opportunities requires a better understanding of hospitals' challenges in providing adequate pressure management beds.

Tissue Load Redistribution

Support surfaces in patient care are meticulously designed to redistribute tissue loads, a crucial function allowing adequate pressure relief. This redistribution is essential in preventing the development of pressure ulcers, which are painful and potentially serious injuries that can occur when prolonged pressure is applied to the skin. Pressure relief is not just a beneficial feature but a fundamental aspect of patient care that can significantly impact a patient's overall health and recovery process. To achieve this, specific requirements must be met to make a pressure management bed truly effective. These requirements include the careful selection of the mattress or mattress pad and the materials used in their manufacture. The combination of these elements works synergistically to provide adequate pressure management. The materials must be chosen for their ability to conform to the body's contours, distribute weight evenly, and maintain their integrity over time. This ensures that the support surface can adapt to the patient's movements and needs, providing consistent pressure relief and enhancing comfort. Additionally, the design and construction of these surfaces must consider factors such as durability, ease of cleaning, and resistance to moisture and bacteria, all of which contribute to a safer and more comfortable patient environment.

Active Support Surface

An active support surface is a sophisticated system powered to facilitate pressure redistribution across the body through various adjustments, which can occur with or without an applied load. This technology is designed to respond dynamically to the patient's needs, ensuring optimal pressure relief and comfort. A prime example of an active support surface is an alternating air mattress. This innovative mattress has a series of air bladders that systematically inflate and deflate as the patient shifts positions. This continuous adjustment process is crucial as it alters the pressure points over the patient's body, effectively reducing the risk of pressure ulcers by preventing prolonged pressure on any single area. The alternating air mattress is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot reposition themselves frequently, as it mimics the natural movements that would typically relieve pressure. By constantly changing the contact points, this type of pressure management bed not only enhances patient comfort but also plays a vital role in maintaining skin integrity and promoting overall health during extended periods of immobility.

Reactive Support Surface

A reactive support surface can be either powered or non-powered, and it is specifically designed to adjust its load distribution only in response to the pressure exerted by the patient's body. This means that the surface adapts dynamically to the weight and movements of the patient, providing a customized level of support that can help alleviate pressure points and enhance comfort. Memory foam is a prime example of a reactive support surface. It is renowned for its ability to contour precisely to the body's shape, offering personalized support as the patient moves and changes position. This contouring effect helps evenly distribute body weight and minimizes the risk of pressure ulcers by reducing concentrated pressure on any single area of the skin. The material's viscoelastic properties allow it to respond to both heat and pressure, softening and molding to the body in a way that traditional mattresses cannot. As a result, memory foam can significantly enhance patient comfort and support, making it a valuable component in pressure management strategies within healthcare settings.

Friction and Moisture

Friction caused by a patient moving in the pressure management bed can lead to superficial injuries to the skin's surface, such as skin maceration, which is the softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture. This friction occurs when the skin rubs against the surface of the mattress, creating small tears or abrasions that can be painful and slow to heal. When combined with moisture, whether from sweat, incontinence, or other sources, these minor injuries can become more severe, leading to further complications such as infection. The presence of moisture can exacerbate the breakdown of the skin, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, which increases the risk of infection. Additionally, when a patient slides down the mattress, primarily when raised to an upright position, the friction between the skin and the mattress surface is intensified. This sliding motion can cause the skin to stretch and shear, contributing to the risk of injury and discomfort. Therefore, minimizing friction and managing moisture effectively to protect the skin and maintain patient comfort and health is crucial.

Incontinence

Incontinence is an obvious concern for bedridden patients, as it can lead to skin irritation, discomfort, and even more severe health issues if not properly managed. The inability to control bladder or bowel movements can result in prolonged exposure to moisture, which can compromise skin integrity and increase the risk of pressure ulcers and infections. Therefore, keeping patients clean and dry is paramount to maintaining their health and comfort. This requires regular monitoring and timely interventions by healthcare staff to ensure that any incidents of incontinence are promptly addressed. Additionally, fabrics for pressure support mattresses must be highly effective in managing moisture. They should be designed to wick away moisture quickly, prevent it from pooling on the skin, and be easily cleaned to maintain hygiene standards. These fabrics must also provide a protective barrier against moisture, ensuring the mattress remains dry and comfortable for the patient, thereby reducing the risk of skin breakdown and other complications associated with prolonged moisture exposure.

Pressure Management Bed Fabrics

Hospitals and other medical facilities must consistently source effective pressure management beds for their patients to prevent complications in those already experiencing health issues. The fabric is a key element in the design and production of these beds. Here are some features hospitals consider when selecting mattresses:

• Flame resistance
• Antimicrobial Fabric Protection
• Thermal Conductivity
• Fluid Resistance and Moisture Vapor Transmission
• Stain Resistance, Cleaning and Disinfection
• Hypoallergenic
• Antistatic

Brands such as Sure-Chek® are developed with the support of the healthcare industry. Fabrics must be comfortable, safe and effective. Sure-Chek® is a thermoplastic fabric composite that is not only strong and durable but that also contains antimicrobial, antistatic and fluid resistant components. Medical fabrics such as these contain a controlled release antimicrobial system to fight bacteria. Medical fabrics used in pressure management beds must also be free of metals such as lead, chromium, cadmium and molybdenum. Moisture barrier fabrics can also protect from pest infestation, a nightmare for any facility. Elasticity is also an important feature of fabrics used on pressure management beds as this allows the fabric to stretch allowing the patient to sink into the mattress, but also allowing it to return to its original shape when the patient is removed.