A pressure relieving mattress brings a great number of benefits within the healthcare system, in care homes, and for individual use at home for those people who suffer with pain and long-term injuries that requires time in bed. It is an essential piece of equipment, helping to reduce the pressure being applied to the body and offering a high standard of comfort.
The problem with pressure ulcers
Pressure sores and ulcers are areas of the skin where there has been a sustained amount of pressure. For those people who spend a lot of time in bed, pressure ulcers are a common problem. Within the healthcare system and in care homes, it is something that is constantly challenging for staff to deal with. Pressure sores occur due to pressure, shear, friction, and microclimate, as well as taking into account other risk factors that are specific to each individual such as age, nutrition, and overall health of the person.
Pressure ulcers and sores appear in areas of the body that are particularly vulnerable. This is why you see problems with elbows and the pelvis, where circulation has been cut off. There are four main categories of pressure sores:
- Grade 1 – where the skin begins to change to a red colour
- Grade 2 – where a superficial blister-type wound appears
- Grade 3 – the skin is damaged, along with the tissue just underneath the layer of skin
- Grade 4 – extensive damage to skin and tissue, as well as to the bone, muscle, tendons, and joints
How does a pressure relieving mattress work?
A pressure mattress is a design that helps to relieve the symptoms of pressure sores, increasing the levels of comfort felt by the person in the bed. There are high levels of support built into the design of the mattress, for both the body and the head, to remove the stress from pressure points, or at least to minimise them. There are different types of pressure relieving mattresses:
Static mattress
A static mattress uses a high quality foam combination to reduce the instances of shear and friction experienced by the person in the bed. These are used for those individuals who are susceptible to a medium risk of developing a pressure sore or ulcer.
Alternating/Dynamic mattress
Sometimes referred to as air or airflow mattresses, these are designed to inflate and deflate when pressure is removed from a certain area of the mattress. This is a cyclical process that ensures that all areas of the body are looked after.
Hybrid/Combination mattress
Using both foam and air these mattresses come either static or with a control unit. Some of these types of mattress can be used to change as the needs of the patient changes, helping to alleviate different levels of symptoms.
Pressure mattresses and sleeping
One of the biggest benefits of a pressure relieving mattress is that it helps to increase comfort levels to such a degree that there is a definite improvement in sleep patterns. Better sleep aids with the comfort of the patient and their overall wellbeing. The benefits of a pressure relieving mattress are therefore important within a healthcare setting.
