Anti-decubitus mattress is a special medical device that is used for persons with complete or partial immobility. The main purpose of mattresses is preventive measures at the risk of the formation of areas with dead skin.
Dead skin or bedsores can appear from any wrinkle or unevenness in the surface of the bed if a person is constantly in bed. Bedsores are formed due to long-term deformation and compression of elastic capillaries. Even a short-term immobile state, from 2 hours, immediately disrupts blood flow, and this is the risk of necrosis of the skin. Longer lying down definitely leads to skin damage and bedsores.
General Purpose
All anti-decubitus mattresses, regardless of type, have a similar effect with minimal differences, namely:
- improve blood circulation;
- release muscle tension;
- are a preventive method for violations of the central nervous system;
- prevention of musculoskeletal problemsmachine;
- counteracting the appearance of ulcers and wounds on the skin;
- massage action.
Contraindications and indications for use
The medical device is recommended not only for bedridden patients and the disabled, but also in cases of:
- when a person is weak;
- old age.
For these categories, the mattress is a prophylactic against unwanted conditions if a person adheres to bed rest for a long time.
In some cases, it is not recommended to use an anti-decubitus mattress, namely:
- Overweight. In this case, the effect of the product can be completely reduced to zero due to excessive stress on the surface of the mattress.
- Injuries of the spine, especially if the bone marrow is affected - pathologies in which, on the contrary, a strong fixation of the back to a hard surface is required.
- You can not use the mattress and in the presence of skeletal cervical traction. In this case, there is a huge risk that the patient's condition will worsen.
Types of mattresses and how they work
Before you decide which anti-decubitus mattress is better to choose, you need to understand the types and principles of their action.
According to the principle of action, static and dynamic mattresses are distinguished.
Static
Products are characterized by a fixed structure. The surface is cellular, which allows you to minimize the load on those parts of the body where there are problems. The preventive effect is achieved due to the even distribution of the load.
This type of medical product does not require additional power sources, it completely repeats the anatomical structure of the human body.
These mattresses are used for persons with protrusion or partial mobility, that is, they are used in the treatment of patients who are able to move independently and change the position of the body in a supine state.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low cost | Inefficiency |
| High reliability | Not used for fully bedridden patients |
|
Autonomy in use |
This type of mattress is very similar to conventional orthopedic models, but has a higher degree of firmness. They can be made of polyurethane or have a gel base. The gel mattress has no air inside, which allows the pressure to be distributed as evenly as possible over the entire surface.
Dynamic
Anti-decubitus mattresses for bedridden patients of the dynamic type are recommended for use completely chained to the bed. The basic principle is the changing pressure due to the compressor. This principle allows you to achieve a massage effect, almost all areas that are in contact with the surface of the mattress.
| Pros | Cons |
| Moving surface | High cost |
|
Ability to use for a person with a large weight |
Designed exclusively for immobilized patients |
There are two types of dynamic mattresses:
- tubular;
- cellular.
The first type consists of individual cylinders that are filled with air. The principle of operation is to change the pressure in these cylinders. Air movement occurs every 6-12 minutes.
Cellular mattresses look like honeycombs. Instead of cylinders, the product is divided into many cells, which are alternately filled with air.
The main difference between cellular and tubular (balloon) mattresses is their purpose and materials used for manufacturing. The cellular type is suitable for prevention at the 1st or 2nd degree of bedsores. Such mattresses are made of PVC and are intended for patients weighing no more than 120 kg. Designed for home use use.
Balloon type is used even in the postoperative period. Suitable for prevention at any degree of bedsores, therefore, they are most often used in medical institutions. The medical device can be used partially, i.e., if necessary, individual cylinders can be switched off. Most often, mattresses are made of rubberized fabric, which allows them to be used to treat people with a largeweight, up to 170 kg.
There are dynamic mattresses with blower function. They are recommended for use in patients with burns or excessive sweating. Airflow does not mean that the mattress has a full ventilation system in the literal sense. Everything is much simpler, there are small holes in the cells, which are made by the manufacturer with a laser, air is "bled" through them. The result is a drying and airing effect.
Quality characteristics
An anti-decubitus mattress must necessarily correspond to the overall dimensions of the bed. This allows the patient to have normal air circulation and prevent damage to the medical device.
If a person sweats profusely or lives in a hot climate, it is better to give preference to products with airflow. This feature allows you not to accumulate excess moisture on the surface of the mattress and the skin itself, even slightly cools the body.
When financial opportunities allow, it is better to give preference to polyurethane models that allow you to adjust pressure and change cycles.
If you buy an anti-decubitus mattress with a compressor, you should definitely check it for noise level before buying, because it will work all the time. The optimal level is not higher than 30 dB.
Popular manufacturers and comparisons
Anti-decubitus mattress reviews allow you to create a specific list of the bestmanufacturers:
- HUNTLEIGH (Germany).
- Eurocare (Belgium).
- Invacare(USA) and others, including domestic manufacturer Armed.
| functions | Barry Mezzo Basic | 418 E-EASY AIR |
| Made in Taiwan | ||
| Blowing | + | - |
| Material | nylon + PVC | nylon + PVC |
| Acceptable user weight | 145 | 120 |
| Degree of bedsores | 1-4 | 1-4 |
| Noise, dB | 28 | 28 |
| Total product weight, kg | 1, 8 | 4, 3 |
| Presence of static mode | - | + |
| Working hours | 24 | 24 |
| Average price, rub. | 10,000 | 8000 |
Analyzing the indicators, comparing models, we can immediately conclude that the anti-decubitus mattress, the price of which is the lowest, has a minimum set of functions. The comparison was made not on the most popular models, but in the ranking bythe frequency of purchase, they are still the very first, as they have affordable prices.
| functions | Berry Serio | Orthoforma M 0003 |
| Made in Taiwan | ||
| Blowing | + | - |
| Material | PVC | PVC |
| Acceptable user weight | 135 | 135 |
| Degree of bedsores | 1-4 | 1-2 |
| Noise, dB | 28 | 30 |
| Total product weight, kg | 1, 8 | 3, 5 |
| Presence of static mode | + | - |
| Working hours | 24 | 24 |
| Cycle frequency, min | 12 | 12 |
| Average price, rub. | 5000 | 3500 |
Operation
This is not to say that medical devices for bedridden patients are difficult to use, but to maximize the service life, it is still necessary to follow the rules of operation.
Basicrules:
- The product of the static type spreads directly on the bed. If the mattress is balloon or cellular, then it must be placed on the mattress, and the tubes or cells that supply air are located at the feet.
- You must not lie down on an uncovered mattress, you must lay a sheet and tuck the ends under the mattress. In no case should you use additional fasteners, especially sharp pins.
- The instruction of the anti-decubitus mattress states that before plugging it into the outlet, it is necessary to check the integrity of the electrical wire. The compressor itself is best hung on the bed rail or placed on the floor. There should be no heaters near it.
- Adjustment is selected by weight. If the distance between the mattress and the base, which is palpable with the fingers, is too large, then the pressure decreases. If the fingers hardly pass under the mattress, then the pressure increases.
Direct use:
- After the mattress is laid, the patient is placed on it.
- The plug is inserted into the socket.
- Pressure is regulated, the parameters are selected according to the weight of the patient.
Before laying the patient, it is recommended to carry out a so-called test, that is, lay out the mattress on the bed, connect it to the network and check its operation.
Rules of care
No matter what the price of anti-decubitus mattresses for bedridden patients is, all products require care, which have common rules.
Cleaning can becarry out only with a damp cloth, but not wet. In no case should you use abrasives and alcohol-containing products, dry in direct sunlight, and even more so with an iron. You can use a weak solution of whiteness.
It is recommended to wash mattresses at least twice a week. If this is a compressor type, then be sure to unplug the plug from the outlet before cleaning.
Cleaning is carried out only when the product is inflated. If the mattress is not to be used, it must be deflated before storage. Mattresses from bedsores "do not like" sunlight, the optimum temperature for storage is +20 degrees, but not lower than +5. The connecting tubes from the compressor must not be twisted to avoid cracking. When twisting the product, the tubes or cells are located at the bottom.
Good and bad sides
Now let's summarize all the information and determine what are the pros and cons of anti-decubitus mattresses.
In terms of workmanship, all types of products are made of PVC and rubberized material. Oilcloth washes well, but cold enough. PVC and nylon are harder to keep clean, but the material is more pleasant to the body.
With equal indications for home use, a static type mattress is more suitable. First of all, it does not require the use of electrical energy.
The second criterion is the cost. The price of an anti-decubitus mattress with a compressor is almost twice as high as for a static type model.
Another determining factorwhich in no case should be overlooked - what weight the product is designed for, the therapeutic effect depends on it.
