Special Pressure Relief Mattresses: Preventing Pressure Injuries in Healthcare Facilities

Introduction

Pressure injuries, often referred to as bedsores or pressure ulcers, are a significant concern in healthcare facilities, especially nursing homes. These painful and potentially life-threatening wounds can develop when patients, particularly those with limited mobility, spend prolonged periods in one position. They can happen anywhere, of course, and are the subject of lawsuits for nursing home neglect in Georgia and North Carolina where I practice. Fortunately, advances in healthcare technology have led to the development of special pressure relief mattresses designed to help prevent and manage pressure injuries effectively. These mattresses do not relieve the nursing home or other health care facility from providing repositioning to patients and residents. In this article, we will explore the importance of these specialized mattresses in healthcare settings and their role in safeguarding patient well-being.

The Prevalence of Pressure Injuries

Pressure injuries are a common issue in healthcare facilities, often due to facility understaffing and lack of training, and affecting patients of all ages. These wounds result from sustained pressure on the skin, which restricts blood flow and can lead to tissue damage. They are particularly prevalent among individuals with limited mobility, such as those bedridden, wheelchair-bound, or recovering from surgery. Pressure injuries often occur over bony prominences like the heels, sacrum, elbows, and hips.

The Consequences of Pressure Injuries

Pressure injuries can have severe consequences for patients and healthcare facilities alike. These consequences include:

Pain and Discomfort: Pressure injuries can be excruciatingly painful, making it difficult for patients to rest and recover.

Prolonged Hospital Stays: Patients with pressure injuries may require extended hospital stays, increasing healthcare costs and straining resources.

Risk of Infection: Open pressure injuries are susceptible to infection, which can lead to severe complications and extended treatment including sepsis, septic shock, and death.

Financial Burden: Treating pressure injuries is costly, both in terms of medical expenses and the potential for injury and wrongful death lawsuits if the injury occurred due to neglect.

Negative Impact on Quality of Life: Pressure injuries can diminish a patient’s quality of life, affecting their physical and emotional well-being. Some pressure injuries are so bad they will essentially never heal.

Pressure Relief Mattresses: A Vital Solution

Pressure relief mattresses are specialized medical devices designed to reduce the risk of pressure injuries by distributing weight more evenly, minimizing pressure on vulnerable areas of the body, and promoting better circulation. These mattresses come in various types, each suited to specific patient needs and care settings:

Low-Air-Loss Mattresses: Low-air-loss systems maintain a constant airflow through the mattress to wick away moisture from the skin and maintain a dry, pressure-reducing environment. These mattresses are a higher-level mattress and probably should be used for those at highest risk of developing bed sores, or residents of nursing homes who already have bed sores.

Alternating Pressure Mattresses: These mattresses use air cells to alternate pressure and provide continuous support, reducing the risk of skin and tissue breakdown. This is another higher-level mattress.

Gel Mattresses: Gel-infused mattresses offer pressure redistribution and are particularly useful for patients at high risk of pressure injuries.

Foam Mattresses: High-density foam mattresses conform to the body’s shape, distributing pressure evenly and reducing the risk of pressure injuries. These are probably the lowest quality type of mattress.

The Benefits of Special Pressure Relief Mattresses

Pressure Prevention: Special pressure relief mattresses are highly effective in preventing pressure injuries by evenly distributing weight and reducing pressure on vulnerable areas.

Enhanced Comfort: Patients using these mattresses experience increased comfort, promoting better rest and recovery.

Cost Savings: Even though many nursing homes seem to not want to invest in the higher-level mattresses, this position is short-sighted. By preventing pressure injuries and reducing the need for extended hospital stays and treatment, pressure relief mattresses can significantly lower healthcare costs. Using higher-level mattresses could also lead to fewer lawsuits from injured nursing home residents, or those who have suffered wrongful death.

Infection Control: The design of these mattresses often includes features that reduce moisture buildup, helping to minimize the risk of infection.

Improved Patient Outcomes: Patients who use pressure relief mattresses are less likely to develop pressure injuries, resulting in better overall outcomes and quality of life, and avoiding complications including death.

Conclusion

Pressure injuries are a significant concern in healthcare facilities, with potentially devastating consequences for patients and healthcare providers. Special pressure relief mattresses have emerged as a crucial tool in preventing and managing these injuries effectively. By providing even weight distribution, reducing pressure on vulnerable areas, and promoting better circulation, these mattresses contribute to enhanced patient comfort, reduced healthcare costs, and improved patient outcomes. Investing in these specialized mattresses is not just a wise decision for healthcare facilities; it’s a commitment to the well-being and quality of life of their patients.

Get Help

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a bed sore or pressure ulcer, contact Pleasant Law, PLLC for help. There is no charge to speak to someone about your case, and if we take your case, we will offer a contingency fee arrangement and will not get paid unless we recover for you.