How to choose a decubitus mattress

Anti-decubitus mattresses specially designed for the care of bedridden patients. They prevent stagnation, creating dynamic support for the entire body. To get the combined effect of anti-decubitus systems, you need to know about their types and purposes. In this article we will talk about all types of mattresses and the rules for their choice.

How to choose a decubitus mattress

The main purpose of anti-decubitus mattresses is do not harm a sick person, evenly distribute the load, eliminate muscle pain, prevent the occurrence of pressure sores. These products most often need to be bought according to the recommendations of the attending physician, who will certainly tell you what type of mattress will have a preventive effect. Since all types of mattresses have different purposes, you should carefully select a model for a lying patient.

Sometimes the use of decubitus mattresses for temporarily bedridden patients not acceptable, for example, with a fracture of the spine rest should be on a hard, level surface. Therefore, a recommended doctor should recommend an anti-decubitus mattress who knows about your diseases. Depending on the types of diseases, as well as the stages of development of pressure sores, a certain type of mattress is selected for the specific needs of the patient.

After receiving the recommendation of your doctor, go to the stores to find the right type of mattress. Do not forget to consider the weight of the patient, which is significant in this matter. Remember that the product should be made of hypoallergenic and non-toxic materials, give preference to well-known manufacturers.

Types and descriptions of anti-decubitus mattresses

According to the principle of action, all anti-decubitus mattresses are divided into 2 types - static and dynamic. From the names it’s enough to simply understand the essence of their work. The first type of product is autonomous, not requiring connection to power sources.

Static Mattresses provide support to a patient who is temporarily forced to comply with bed rest. Its surface allows you to support the whole body of the patient due to the uniform distribution of pressure and adaptation to individual characteristics.

Important! Static mattresses are recommended for people as prevention of pressure sores in postoperative bed rest.

The second type of mattresses is dynamic, they are more difficult to operate, however, have an invaluable therapeutic effect for immobilized people or some restriction in their movement. The design of the mattress allows you to apply and change the pressure in different parts of the product, providing a gentle massage to the patient. Thus, while lying down, it is possible to maintain normal blood flow, eliminate muscle tension and alleviate pain.

Recommendations when choosing an anti-decubitus mattress

To get the necessary prevention of pressure sores, you need to choose the right type of mattress, otherwise you run the risk of aggravating the patient’s state of health and harm. To create comfortable conditions, the patient must consider the following factors:

  • Choose only certified medical products - a genuine product will last a long time.
  • Give preference to hypoallergenic materials, the best of which is polyurethane foam and polyvinyl chloride; they are easy to clean and dry quickly.
  • Before you buy a mattress, carefully inspect its presence of creases is unacceptable for all types of products.
  • The correct size of the mattress is the key to a healthy and proper rest of the patient. Mattresses that are larger than the bed do not provide proper air circulation, small mattresses will cause a lot of inconvenience to the patient and will not provide effective prevention.
  • Having opted for a dynamic mattress, make sure that the sound of the compressor does not exceed 5-10 dB, this noise threshold is recommended for a healthy sleep.

Which decubitus mattress is better

Medical anti-decubitus mattresses are comprehensive systems for the prevention of pressure sores and muscle relaxation in patients with various diseases. If the patient is able to get out of bed, then choose a static mattress that provides support to the spine and prevents the formation of pressure sores. Static mattresses evenly distribute the load of the whole body, relieving the patient of excessive pressure on certain organs.

Dynamic mattresses have a gentle massage effect and help to comfortably spend time for immobilized patients. Thanks to a specially installed compressor, optimal pressure in the product is maintained, providing complete care.

Cellular mattresses should be chosen for people with low weight and with bedsores in the initial stages. Many cells, alternately inflated by the compressor, contribute to the normalization of blood flow and lead to an overall improvement in well-being. Balloon or often called tubular mattresses must be purchased for people with stage 3 or 4 bedsores. A patient’s weight of more than 120 kg is also an indication for the purchase of a mattress with inflatable transverse tubes.

On a note! The choice of the type of mattress directly depends on the weight of the patient, the stage of pressure sores and his physical capabilities.

Tubular mattress

When diagnosing a patient with pressure sores 3 and 4 stages prophylaxis with tubular mattresses recommended for people weighing more than 120 kg Structurally, these systems differ from static ones - they are made of tube sections that are connected by an air pressure control unit. Each tube in turn with air 10 minutes allows you to achieve a massage effect. As a result, the patient has an improvement in overall health - blood circulation is normalized.

Cellular mattress

Among the dynamic types of mattresses, cellular ones are most in demand among patients with low weight and the initial stage of development of pressure sores. The product consists of the courage of the cells into which air is alternately supplied from the compressor to create an easy massage effect.

Decisive factors when choosing an anti-decubitus mattress

Remember! To achieve pressure sore prevention, the patient’s allowable weight should be slightly less than indicated on the product.

You should carefully approach the purchase of an anti-decubitus system so that the patient feels comfortable during rest. In order to take care of the health of an immobilized person, it is necessary to provide professional support for all organs. Thanks to the restoration of blood supply and the removal of tension in the muscles, it is possible to obtain a massage effect when using specialized medical mattresses. We recommend that you pay attention to the following important criteria:

  • What weight is the mattress designed for. The manufacturer always indicates the exact load capacity data of the product to be followed.
  • Blowing system - The unique microscopic openings created by the laser allow you to take care of the patient’s skin. Due to blowing, heavily sweating or full people can feel more comfortable due to the timely removal of excess moisture.
  • Choose hypoallergenic material. Most often, high-quality mattresses are made of polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane foam, which are easy to clean and dry quickly.

Compressors are a must when choosing dynamic mattresses. They help to create the necessary pressure in cellular and tubular mattresses for therapeutic effect. In many models of anti-decubitus systems, there are autonomous products that operate from an external power source and compressors that receive power from the electrical network. When choosing a mattress with a compressor, pay attention to its permissible noise level, which should not exceed 20 dB.

Buying tips for decubitus mattresses

Anti-decubitus mattresses are an indispensable way to effectively care for the patient in the postoperative period or when it is completely immobilized. Having studied in detail all types of mattresses for the prevention of pressure sores, we can draw the following conclusions:

  • Tubular mattresses are more durable - if one or several tubes are damaged during operation, they are easily removed and replaced with new ones.
  • Do not forget to consider important parameters: patient weight, doctor's recommendations, stage of bedsores.

Choosing decubitus therapy, take into account the physical condition of the patient, if he can get out of bed - choose static mattresses to evenly distribute the load during bed rest. If a person is immobilized, then he needs to choose a tubular or cellular mattress. Both designs allow you to create a massage effect and have a therapeutic effect in the fight against pressure sores.

Watch the video: Pressure Sores (March 2024).

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