Pressure Relief Mattresses

Pressure relief mattresses and overlays

Here you will find information about the range of pressure relief mattresses you can select from, depending on the user’s level of risk.

We have an excellent article contributed by Award-winning Times journalist, Melanie Reid, who broke her neck in a riding accident, about living with the constant risk of pressure sores

NICE guidance on pressure management

Current NICE guidance is that all vulnerable people, including those with a grade 1–2 pressure ulcer, should receive, as a minimum provision, a high specification foam pressure relief mattress, and the ulcer should be closely observed for deterioration.

As a minimum provision people with a grade 3–4 pressure ulcer should have:
an alternating pressure mattress or high specification foam mattress with an alternating pressure overlay, or
a sophisticated continuous low pressure system (for example, low air loss, air flotation, viscous fluid). Ensuring that:
• the mattress does not elevate people to an unsafe height
• the person is within the recommended weight range for the mattress.

There is an extensive article explaining the relationship between pressure relief mattresses and overlays, and the incidence of bed falls in care home environments, here.
 

New technology alternative to alternating air mattress

Patients at high risk of pressure damage have an alternative to alternating air mattresses with new technology employing a quadruple layer of fine polyester fibres that naturally and gently move with the patient to virtually eliminate chafing.

With no electricity, no pumps and no noise, it enables the patient to benefit from a silent, comfortable sleep, while any pressure ulcers present have the chance to breathe and heal. It improves blood flow to help maintain healthy tissues, and allows for good airflow, to keep the patient’s skin cool.
 

Obese people at increased risk of pressure ulcers

For meeting the pressure management needs of patients weighing up to 455kg (71st), there is the Verto Turning Mattress (left). Seriously obese people are at greater risk of developing pressure ulcers.

The gentle, gradual, 30-40 degree turning angle of the patient from side to side exerts less than 26mm Hg of pressure on the skin tissue and this allows the capillaries to fill, preventing blood starvation and pressure damage. In this way, existing pressure sores can also be treated successfully. Air escapes through tiny pinholes in the top of the cells to circulate under the cover. The moisture from the patient transfers through the vapour permeable fabric cover to interact with the air blowing up from the mattress. This process keeps the patient cool and dry without blowing air directly onto their skin.

 

Managing the risk of pressure damage to heels

The TRI-FLEX pressure relief mattress system from Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare (shown right) addresses the prevalence of damage to the heels. It has been designed so that the heels can be elevated completely, in such a way as to distribute the weight of the leg along the calf without putting pressure on the Achilles tendon. The design of the TRI-FLEX allows for complete freedom in positioning: interface pressures can be minimised in areas requiring protection by adjusting the shape of the mattress surface to take into consideration height, weight and additional health factors, such as oedema, pressure sores or other ulcerations.

 

Active or static pressure redistribution

Arjo’s Alpha Active pressure redistribution mattress overlay system offers two different modes to meet prevention and treatment objectives:

• Active/alternating mode: periodically redistributing pressure away from vulnerable areas, by alternately inflating and deflating cells beneath the resident/patient. Ideal for prevention of pressure ulcers in high risk residents/patients, particularly those cannot be frequently repositioned.

• Reactive/static mode: cell pressure is equalised to redistribute the body weight over a greater surface area. Ideal for residents/patients in rehabilitation or those who cannot tolerate a moving surface.

In addition to pressure beds, you can also obtain separate pressure relief mattresses or mattress overlays, which may be more cost-effective.

 

Foam and gel-filled surfaces

Foam mattress overlays (right) may have a cross cut or textured upper surface to allow greater conformity.

They can also reduce friction and shear by allowing the surface to move with the user.

Foam can act as an insulator, raising the skin temperature, so a cross cut surface helps to counteract this by improving ventilation.

Foam overlays need turning on a weekly basis and should be replaced regularly (every 6 – 9 months) as their performance deteriorates.

Gel-filled supports address some of the problems inherent in foam; for example, they support the patient evenly across the horizontal plain without breaking down over time, and as the gel is designed to simulate the composition of human fatty tissue, it helps to reduce the sheer and friction that contribute to pressure sores. Gel doesn’t have the insulating properties of foam.

Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below

Further reading and resources

There is more information about care beds in our specialist bed section.

We also have an area dedicated to night-time sleep systems.

return to top