Innovative new mattress aims to reduce burden of pressure ulcers for clinicians, caregivers and patients
Hill-Rom UK, in coordination with Select Medical, is launching the Flexi by Pure Air advanced crossover mattress to help reduce the issue of pressure ulcers for clients and healthcare professionals.
Treating pressure ulcers costs the NHS over £1.4 million every day, equating to four percent of the total NHS budget, and represents a major burden of sickness and reduced quality of life for patients.
Launched at the Wounds UK Annual Conference on the 5-7th November 2018, the mattress combines the latest advancements in surface design and testing.
Flexi by Pure Air is an advanced crossover mattress suitable for patients that are at very high risk of developing a pressure ulcer. The uniquely constructed pressure-relieving mattress combines premium density Visco memory foam technology with the proven ‘figure-eight cell’ designs. This unique system allows the cells to maintain their shape whilst avoiding ballooning, which may cause discomfort for the patient.
The step-up, step-down surface is designed to deliver effective pressure redistribution and comfort in static, dynamic and constant low-pressure therapy modes, appropriate to varying needs.
It can be used in an array of environments, including both hospitals and community care settings.
Additional innovative features include: unique cell orientation; unique Axis technology to encourage a natural body movement and assist with repositioning; and an advanced whisper quiet control unit allows for constant low-pressure mode, alternating low pressure mode or static mode can be employed by switching the control unit off.
Flexi ensures safety in case of fire and is compliant to BS7177 CRIB 5.
The current prevalence of pressure ulcers in the UK is high and, as well as reducing the quality of life of patients, they create significant difficulties for carers and families. Pressure ulcers are estimated to occur in four-10 percent of all patients admitted to acute hospitals in the UK.
Demographic factors such as age and obesity continue to contribute to this challenge. Older people are the group most likely to suffer from pressure ulcers, which is especially true for those older than 70 years, up to a third of whom will have had surgery for a hip fracture.
Yet, age alone is not a risk factor. Rather, it is the problems common in older people that are associated with pressure ulceration such as hip fractures, faecal and urinary incontinence, smoking, dry skin, chronic systemic conditions, and terminal illness.
Gavin Richards, Marketing Director at Hill-Rom UK, said: “Hill-Rom has for a long-time been committed to helping caregivers reduce facility-acquired pressure ulcers. Our unique, evidence-based surface technologies help clinicians in both hospitals and care-home settings reach a better outcome for patients.
“The introduction of the Flexi Pure Air mattress reinforces our commitment to driving real change within this important area of healthcare.”
David Elstone, Managing Director at Select Medical, concluded: “We’re extremely proud to be partnering with Hill-Rom who have a renowned and prestigious reputation of delivering quality products into the acute sector.
“With Flexi’s unique, patented design and innovative Axis Technology we’re confident Flexi will make a big impact in this space.”