Anti-decubitus mattress: description, features, benefits and reviews

An anti-decubitus mattress is a special medical product 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 crease or unevenness on the surface of the bed if a person constantly observes bed rest. Pressure ulcers are formed due to prolonged deformation and compression of elastic capillaries. Even a short-term stationary state, from 2 hours, immediately disrupts the blood flow, and this is the risk of necrosis of the skin. A longer stay in a lying position definitely leads to damage to the skin and pressure sores.

General purpose

All anti-decubitus mattresses, regardless of type, have a similar effect with minimal differences, namely:

• improved blood circulation;
• muscle tension relief;
• are a preventive method for violations of the central nervous system;
• prevention of problems with the musculoskeletal system;
• counteracting the appearance of ulcers and wounds on the skin;
• massage effect.

Contraindications and indications for use

A medical device is recommended not only for bedridden patients and people with disabilities, but also in cases of:

• when a person is weak;
• old age.

For these categories, a 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:

1. Overweight. In this case, the effect of the product can be completely reduced to zero due to excessive load on the surface of the mattress.
2. Injuries to the spine, especially if the bone marrow is affected, are pathologies in which, on the contrary, a strong fixation of the back to a hard surface is required.
3. You can not use a mattress in the presence of skeletal-cervical traction. In this case, there is a huge risk that the patient's condition worsens.

Types of mattresses and the principle of their action

Before deciding which anti-decubitus mattress is better to choose, it is necessary to understand the types and principles of their action.

By the principle of action, static and dynamic mattresses are distinguished.

Static

Products are characterized by a fixed structure. The surface is cellular, which allows to minimize the load on precisely those parts of the body where there are problems. The preventive effect is achieved due to the uniform distribution of the load.

A medical device of this type does not require additional power sources, 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 independently move and change their body position while lying down.

Mattresses of this type are very similar to conventional orthopedic models, but have a higher degree of rigidity. They can be made of polyurethane or have a gel base. The gel mattress does not have air inside, which makes it possible to distribute pressure as evenly as possible over the entire surface.

Dynamic

Anti-decubitus mattresses for bedridden patients of dynamic type are recommended for use completely bedridden. The basic principle is variable pressure thanks 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.

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 in their purpose and materials used for manufacturing. The cellular type is suitable for prevention with 1st or 2nd degree pressure ulcers. Such mattresses are made of PVC and are intended for patients weighing no more than 120 kg. Designed for home use use.

The balloon type is used even in the postoperative period. Suitable for prophylaxis for any degree of pressure sores, so they are most often used in medical institutions. The medical device can be used partially, that is, if necessary, you can turn off individual cylinders. Most often, mattresses are made of rubberized fabric, which allows them to be used to treat persons with a large weight, up to 170 kg.

There are dynamic mattresses with a blow function. They are recommended for use by patients with burns or sweating. Blowing does not mean that in the literal sense the mattress has a complete ventilation system. Everything is much simpler, there are small holes in the cells, which are made by the manufacturer with a laser, and air is blown out through them. The result is a drying and aeration effect.

Quality characteristics

Anti-decubitus mattress must necessarily correspond to the overall dimensions of the bed. This allows the patient to ensure normal air circulation and prevent breakdown of the medical device.

If a person has profuse sweating or a living area with a hot climate, then it is better to give preference to goods with air cooling. This function 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, which allow you to adjust the 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 continuously. The optimal level is no higher than 30 dB.

Popular manufacturers and comparatives

Reviews of anti-decubitus mattresses allow you to create a specific list of the best manufacturers:

• HUNTLEIGH (Germany).
• Eurocare (Belgium).
• Invacare (USA) and others, including the domestic manufacturer Armed.

Analyzing indicators, comparing models, we can immediately conclude that the anti-decubitus mattress, whose price is the lowest, has a minimal set of functions. The comparison was not made on the most popular models, but in the ranking according to the frequency of acquisition they are still the very first, since they have affordable prices.

Exploitation

This is not to say that medical devices for bedridden patients are difficult to use, but in order to maximize the service life, it is still necessary to adhere to operating rules.

Basic Rules:

• The static type product is laid 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 can’t lie down on an uncovered mattress, you need to lay a sheet and tuck the ends under the mattress. In no case should you use additional fasteners, especially sharp pins.
• The instructions for the anti-decubitus mattress say that before plugging it into a power outlet, you must check the integrity of the power cord. The compressor itself is best hung on the beam of the bed or put on the floor. There should be no heating appliances near it.
• Adjustment is selected by weight. If the distance between the mattress and the base, which is felt by the fingers, is too large, then the pressure decreases. If your fingers practically do not pass under the mattress, then the pressure increases.

Direct use:

1. After laying the mattress, the patient is placed on it.
2. The plug is inserted into the outlet.
3. Pressure is regulated, parameters are selected according to the patient’s weight.

Before laying the patient, it is recommended to carry out the so-called test, that is, lay out the mattress on the bed, connect it to the network and check the performance.

Care Rules

No matter what the cost of anti-decubitus mattresses for bedridden patients, all products require care, which have general rules.

Cleaning can only be done with a damp cloth, but not wet. In no case should you use abrasives and alcohol-containing products, dry them 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, be sure to unplug the plug from the outlet before cleaning.

Cleaning is carried out only when the product is inflated. If the mattress will not be used, then it must be blown off before storage. Mattresses from bedsores "do not like" the sun's rays, the optimal storage temperature is +20 degrees, but not lower than +5. The connecting pipes from the compressor must not be twisted to prevent them from cracking. When twisting the product, the tubes or cells are located at the bottom.

Positive and negative sides

Now we will summarize all the information and determine what the anti-decubitus mattresses have pros and cons.

In terms of workmanship, all types of products are made of PVC and rubberized material. Oilcloth is perfectly washed, but cold enough. PVC and nylon are harder to keep clean, but the material is nicer 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 cost. The price of an anti-decubitus mattress with a compressor is almost two times higher than on a static type model.

Another determining factor, which in no case should be overlooked, is how much the product is designed for, the therapeutic effect depends on this.