Did you know 2.5 million Americans develop pressure ulcers every year? Unfortunately, hospital-acquired pressure ulcers/injuries (HAPU/I) are on the rise, claiming the lives of 60,000 people and costing the US healthcare system over $11 billion annually (1).
What can long-term care facilities do to address this growing health concern and improve patient safety and injury management across their continuum of care?
As a premier medical equipment company in Rochester, NY, Mission Health + Home has paved the way for wider integration of support surfaces in long-term care and hospice centers throughout Western and Central New York.
Your healthcare facility and patients’ needs are unique. In this article, we’ll explore how to select support surfaces for your clinic and help your patients heal and recover faster and more efficiently. If you’re ready to begin exploring your options in support surface solutions, contact us today!
Assessing Patient Risk for Pressure Injuries
Hospitals and health organizations are federally mandated to provide support surfaces for patients who have pressure injuries/ulcers, or for those who are at risk of developing them. Organizations that fail to provide adequate care for patients at risk of HAPU/I are subject to penalties.
With that said, your hospital, long-term care, or hospice facility needs support surfaces. So the real question is:
How many specialty mattresses should you include? We’ll explore that next.
How to Assess Patient Risk for HAPU/I
First, assess the overall risk of your patient population. Are you typically treating long-term patients who are confined to their hospital beds? Is their mobility significantly limited for the duration of their stay? Do you have a lot of patients who have limited mobility at home?
Understanding the risk factors of HAPU/I will help your team prevent injuries and better recognize when a patient requires a support surface over a standard hospital mattress.
Here’s a breakdown of factors that put patients at a higher risk of HAPU/I:
- Old age
- Protein & other nutritional deficiencies
- Low blood pressure
- Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure
- Comorbid conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, skin disorders, etc.)
- History of smoking
- History of pressure injuries & response to past treatments
Patients who struggle to move and turn themselves over in bed are also at a higher risk of developing HAPU/I.
How Many Support Surfaces Do You Need?
You may only need to integrate a few support surface mattresses to better treat those occasional patients who are at a higher risk of HAPU/I.
But if your patient population is at a higher risk for HAPU/I, your ratio of support surface mattresses to standard hospital beds may be higher.
If you need assistance selecting the right seating surfaces for your patients’ clinical needs, get in touch with us today to schedule an evaluation.
Understand the Different Classes of Support Surfaces
Not all support surfaces are alike. There are three classes of support surfaces. Understanding the differences between them can help you select the support surfaces you’ll need in your health care setting.
Here’s a breakdown of each class of support surfaces:
Class I
Gel overlays, egg crate mattresses, and simple pressure pads qualify as Group I support surfaces. These are typically used by patients who already have minor pressure ulcers and/or struggle to turn and move themselves to relieve pressure on their bodies.
Class II
Group II surfaces directly alleviate pressure on patients who have multiple, large, and/or stage II, III, or IV ulcers. These therapy mattresses improve circulation, regulate body temperature, and provide optimal pressure redistribution.
Class III
Group III advanced pressure-relieving mattress systems support patients who have not responded to Group II support surfaces, wound care, nutritional counseling, and pain management.
For more information about the different classes of support surfaces, or if you need assistance determining the right products and solutions for your health care facility, reach out to us today!
Support Surfaces We Offer
Mission Health + Home is committed to connecting our regional hospitals, hospice, and long-term care facilities with industry-leading support surface solutions. We provide the following support mattresses, seating surfaces, and products for the health care sector in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and the surrounding areas.
Invacare® microAIR MA80 & MA85
True Low Air Loss Mattresses
The microAIR MA80 and MA85 mattresses utilize a system of robust blowers to better maintain a temperate, dry environment and improve skin moisture management. Automatic monitoring of the mattresses’ pressure levels also helps to prevent air loss and maintain patient comfort.
These mattresses provide adequate pressure relief and can improve the healing process and outcome of Stage I-IV pressure ulcers. They can also prevent pressure ulcers and injuries in high-risk patients.
Additional features include:
- Real-time monitoring & measurements of pressure points
- User-friendly control unit with a variety of comfort & therapy settings
- Quick-connect air cells for optimal support
- Non-sheer nylon waterproof cover
- Roll-up capabilities for easy access, transport, & storage
- & more!
Prius Rhythm Multi Mattress System
The Prius Rhythm Multi Mattress System can prevent pressure ulcers and injuries in medium to high-risk patients, while also supporting those who are already suffering from Stage I-IV HAPU/I. It works by producing
Utilizing a quiet, state-of-the-art pulsating compressor and real-time pressure sensing and mapping, the Rhythm Multi automates the redistribution of air and pressure for each individual while maximizing their comfort.
This mattress system works for patients up to 600 pounds and also features:
- High airflow, multi-function control unit
- Ergonomic retraction design
- Nylon-woven fabric with PU coating finish for extra comfort
- Extra softness at the heels
- CRP deflation
- & more!
ROHO® Dry Flotation® Mattress Overlay
Made with state-of-the-art cell-based technology, The ROHO® Dry Flotation® is a dynamic, non-powered, air-filled mattress overlay that fits an individual’s unique body contours to better prevent and heal pressure ulcers and injuries.
This mattress overlay is available for standard hospital beds and custom mattresses. It features four different sections that are easily adjustable to redistribute pressure and weight.
The ROHO® Dry Flotation® Mattress Overlay is ideal for hospitals, hospice, and long-term care facilities, as well as patients who are bed-ridden at home.
ROHO® Seating Cushions
We also sell innovative seating cushions by ROHO® that utilize soft, flexible air-based cells to adjust and conform to a patient’s body in a seated position. This helps to decrease and redistribute pressure while preventing skin breakdown and enhancing patient mobility.
Integrate Support Surfaces in Your Long-Term Facility
Are you ready to take your facility’s pressure injury management and prevention to the next level?
Mission Health + Home can help you develop a decision tree for selecting the right surface to meet your residents’ clinical needs. We can also provide education on pressure management best practices.
We welcome hospitals, hospices, and all types of long-term care facilities throughout Western and Central New York to contact us today!
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