Article Written By: katrinawagner
The Bariatric mattress was originally inspired by the needs of obese patients. With even short-term confinement to bed, overweight patients suffered from more bedsores than any other type of person confined to the beds due to the higher pressure and contact with the muscle and skin. The pressure-relieving mattress, started out as an air-inflated that seemed to reduce the suffering of the patient and created a measureable reduction in bedsores. Modern medical beds are now equipped with dynamic, pressure-relieving mattresses, a significant improvement over the static, inflated mattresses of the past. In the dynamic form, the bed is separated into cells. These are alternating sections of the mattress that can be inflated and partially deflated on a cycle of every ten minutes, as an example. This results in the constant mitigation of the pressure that causes the bedsores.These beds can be programmed to meet the needs of individual patients and there are a number of established principles that guide the cycles. In the more advanced models, you will have an integrated control unit, pressure monitor alarms, and rapid deflation systems in case of medical emergency. The more comprehensive units will include static functions and specialized frictionless coverings to further reduce the aggravation. The only limitation is patient weight. There is usually a 13 stone (80kgs) minimum weight limit and most models can handle patient weights up to 47 stone (300kgs). Advanced models can provide relief for pediatric patients with a minimum of 4 stone (25kgs). These units can handle adults up to 17 stone as well and are often used for low bodyweight adult patients.Are They Worth the Price? Yes, consider that there are few, if any hospitals that do not have Bariatric beds because not having some would only invite preventable injury and increased suffering to the patient. The Bariatric technology works well, which is evidenced by medical care facilities adherence to their use. If you have a family member that is confined to a bed due to chronic illness or disability, the need for a specialized, Bariatric mattress is clear.While there is a higher cost that a simple medical bed the suffering that is prevented is worth the effort alone. The other factor to consider is that without proper prevention Pressure Ulcers, otherwise known as bedsores, can lengthen recovery times and drastically increase the cost of care. Certainly, money is of little concern regarding the subject of the health and comfort of a loved one, but there is no reason not to consider these medical tools.
This Article Has Been Published on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 and Read 140 Times