How Do Pressure Care Mattresses Prevent Bedsores?

Bedsores are a complicated problem, but pressure sore mattresses (also called pressure redistribution mattresses) can help. Medical professionals name these painful sores "pressure ulcers," and they are caused by prolonged exposure to pressure, shear tension, friction, and poor blood flow. 

Bedsores are caused by continuous pressure that restricts blood flow, which in turn leads to tissue damage and the creation of ulcers. Bedsores are most commonly seen in locations where bones lie near the skin's surface, such as the heels, lower back, hips and shoulders. Bedsores can also be caused by prolonged strain on the sacrum. 

Learn about the reasons for bedsores and how pressure care mattresses can help reduce their prevalence.

Bedsores: Risk Factors

The prevention of pressure ulcers relies heavily on regular assessments of the risk of developing such wounds. These severe injuries are associated with higher healthcare expenses, longer hospital stays, and even mortality, and there are various risk factors that place some patients at a higher risk of getting them.

Read on to learn which potential dangers you've already thought about and may have overlooked.

Immobility

Those who are bedridden or unable to move around significantly increase their risk of pressure injuries. Bedsores are more likely to form when a person is bedridden and unable to move around.​

Patients who are unable to change their position on their own are at an increased risk of getting a pressure ulcer. This is because the pressure imposed over bony prominences leads to decreased blood flow to the tissues, which in turn leads to hypoxia. Patients who are unable to change their position on their own are at an increased risk of developing a pressure ulcer.

Blood Flow Has Been Compromised

The chance of developing a pressure ulcer increases whenever blood flow to tissues is impaired, a condition associated with some risk factors. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and venous insufficiency, in which the veins are unable to deliver blood to the heart efficiently, are two such disorders that stand out. 

Poor blood flow is also caused by shock, which can result from things like very serious diseases or trauma. These factors increase the risk of developing pressure ulcers due to poor tissue oxygenation, highlighting the significance of taking precautions.

Sensory Loss

When sensation is lost, as in the case of a spinal cord injury or other neurological condition, the likelihood of a pressure injury developing is greatly increased. A loss of bodily sensibility results in an impaired ability to detect pain or discomfort. When normal sensation is still there, sitting or standing for too long can cause discomfort. 

However, in cases of sensory loss, it may not be possible to feel this discomfort, making it harder to recognise the need for repositioning. As a result, those with sensory impairments are more likely to sustain pressure injuries because they cannot react instinctively to signs of discomfort or the need to change positions.

Skin Colour/Changes 

There may be difficulties in the early diagnosis of pressure ulcers in patients with darker skin pigmentation, such as blanching erythema, by healthcare practitioners. This lag in diagnosis may postpone interventions that could save lives. 

Also, people with skin problems that make them look different, such as dermatitis, eczema, or bruises, are more likely to be targeted. These factors may make it more difficult to recognise the early warning symptoms of pressure injury and intervene to prevent the development of ulcers. Protecting patients with these skin characteristics from the dangers of pressure ulcers requires heightened monitoring and individualised diagnostic procedures.

Shear

The term "shear" refers to the sliding of skin and underlying fatty tissues across bones as a result of gravity and friction and is a crucial factor in the development of pressure injuries. When the patient leans back with the head of the bed raised, this phenomenon is magnified. 

The spine could sag while the skin and fat remained in place, causing internal tissue trauma from the disruption of blood arteries. Substantial damage to internal tissues, with just superficial damage being readily apparent, is caused by this method. Understanding the significance of shear in the onset of pressure injuries highlights the need for preventative measures, especially when using elevated beds.

Age

Patients on both extremes of the age spectrum are particularly vulnerable to developing pressure ulcers. Infants still developing the ability to change their positions must rely on their carers for repositioning. Similar difficulties may arise for older people due to age-related and health-related mobility restrictions when attempting to change positions unassisted. The risk of pressure ulcers is increased in populations that are unable to easily reposition themselves, such as infants and the elderly, highlighting the need for careful attention and individualised measures to protect these vulnerable groups.

Incontinence

Bowel and urine incontinence increase the skin's susceptibility to breakdown due to the introduction of moisture. This increased moisture level disrupts the skin's natural barrier function, making injury more likely. Because of the potential contact of skin with bacteria and enzymes found in the stool, faecal incontinence, in particular, increases these risks. 

The integrity of the skin is threatened, and further infections are made more likely due to this interaction. Therefore, those battling faecal or urine incontinence need specialised treatment to preserve skin integrity and prevent the onset of pressure ulcers and other skin breakdown concerns.

Poor Nutrition

Weight loss caused by inadequate nutrition can increase stress on bony prominences. In addition, pressure ulcer healing is greatly aided by a diet rich in healthy proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

What Are Pressure Care Mattresses?

Some people are at risk for developing pressure ulcers (also known as bedsores or pressure sores), and these mattresses are designed to help prevent and reduce the development of these ulcers. Patients confined to bed or wheelchairs, especially those bedridden or wheelchair-bound due to illness, are at increased risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Persistent pressure, especially on bony prominences such as the heels, hips, elbows, and sacrum, can cause pressure ulcers. Both uncomfortable and possibly dangerous ulcers can grow in certain regions due to poor circulation and tissue damage.

The pressure put on the body is redistributed over a wider surface area by pressure care mattresses, which reduces the amount of pressure applied to any one point for a longer period of time.

Types Of Pressure Care Mattresses

Air Mattress Or Alternative /Dynamic Mattress

• Created with air cells or pockets.
• Electrically powered air pump that moves air between cells.
• The pump goes through some cycles to provide active therapy that reduces pressure and offloads tissues.
• When inflated, the cells press against the user for support, and when deflated, they release pressure to soothe the skin.

Foam Mattress Or Static Mattress

• Pressure redistribution can help alleviate pressure points across the mattress's surface.
• It provides reactive therapy by continuously exerting pressure on the surface of the skin and the tissues beneath it.
• Individual foam cubes in a modular or castellated design respond to their occupant's weight and shape.
• Whether the patient is able to reposition themselves or requires assistance, movement helps relieve pressure.
• Comes with breathable protective covers to keep sweat and moisture at bay.
• This surface may also have a low shear and friction coefficient.

Hybrid Mattress

• Hybrid mattresses are a new bed that combines foam and air mattresses.
• Used frequently for people who may require a wide range of treatment.
• Pressure is relieved by the air cells, and the foam provides comfort and support.
• Needs a pump to cycle the air cells periodically

The Benefits Of Pressure Care Mattresses Bed Sores Prevention

Mattresses designed to alleviate pressure points are an essential component in the fight against bed sores because they:

Enhancing Blood Circulation 

Improved blood flow is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues, reducing the likelihood of tissue breakdown. This procedure promotes better tissue health and protects against problems like pressure ulcers.

Pressure Redistribution 

The capacity to transfer pressure over the body's surface is one of the main advantages of pressure care mattresses. The bony heels, hips, and shoulder blades are particularly vulnerable to the restricted blood flow and tissue damage that can result from using a standard mattress. Bedsores and tissue breakdown can be avoided with the help of a pressure care mattress designed to reduce the pressure points that cause them.

Pain Relief And Comfort

Pressure care mattresses are designed to prevent bedsores but can give additional comfort and pain relief for people with limited mobility or chronic pain. These mattresses' padding relieves the soreness from being bedridden for a long time.

Reducing Pressure Points

Mattresses designed for pressure relief accomplish this by evenly distributing the weight of the user throughout the surface. This uniform pressure distribution reduces stress on weaker parts of the body and allows for more consistent blood flow. This lessening of concentrated pressure greatly aids the prevention of pressure ulcers.

Moisture Management 

Bedsores are much more likely to develop when there is a buildup of moisture on the skin. Forethoughtful design of pressure-care mattresses includes the use of moisture-wicking fabrics, which efficiently remove moisture from the mattress. This crucial property keeps the skin dry, which greatly reduces the likelihood of skin degradation. 

Additionally, certain mattresses have unique features that boost airflow, which works with moisture management strategies. These features together highlight the holistic strategy pressure care mattresses take in preventing the development of painful and debilitating bedsores by addressing pressure distribution and moisture control.

Minimising Shear And Friction

Shear and frictional forces, which can irritate the skin, are also reduced by pressure-care mattresses. Contact between skin and surface causes friction, whereas sliding between skin layers causes shear. These mattresses improve skin protection and prevent pressure ulcers by reducing these forces.

Customisability 

Healthcare practitioners can meet their patients' unique needs by selecting from a wide variety of pressure care mattresses, each of which is available in various firmness levels and styles. This adaptability guarantees personalised support and pressure relief, meeting the needs of a wide variety of patients and aiding in the development of successful pressure ulcer prevention and care plans.

Comfort And Life Quality

Pressure care mattresses are essential for preventing bedsores, but they also greatly improve the comfort and quality of life for people who are unable to leave their beds. These mattresses are more than an ulcer-preventative measure because they provide a more supportive and comfortable sleeping surface. 

They help those who rely on them get better sleep, feel less discomfort, and live happier and healthier lives. Together, pressure alleviation and improved comfort promote a comprehensive approach to patient care that considers the patient's physiological and psychological needs.

Additional Methods Of Bed Sore Prevention

Pressure ulcer prevention includes utilising an electric hospital bed and eating well. While those with mobility issues may not always be aware of their need for food or water, both are essential to maintaining good health. The skin can become fragile if you don't eat enough, drink enough water, and maintain a healthy, well-rounded diet. The body can't repair itself if it doesn't obtain the nutrients it needs, including energy, minerals, fluids, and proteins.

Skincare is a vital part of preventative medicine. It's especially important for the elderly, whose skin becomes more fragile and less resilient as they age, making it more susceptible to wounds. Carers and patients need to balance preventing skin from drying out and allowing it to become too hydrated. Both extremes exacerbate skin damage.

If bed sores develop and require wound care, it is important to keep the skin clean and get it checked out by a professional. When treating pressure ulcers, medical professionals will consider both the injury's severity and the factors that led to it. They are able to provide the appropriate care and make suggestions based on the individual's condition.

Healthcare Facilities Using Pressure Sore Mattresses

Home Care

The benefits of pressure-relieving mattresses go beyond institutional settings; they are also quite useful in the household. This provision guarantees that people at home will not lose access to critical pressure ulcer prevention services. For those who must remain bedridden for extended periods of time, pressure care mattresses offer a preventative measure against the development of bedsores. As part of comprehensive pressure ulcer management strategies outside conventional healthcare settings, its implementation into home care setups improves patient comfort and well-being.

Nursing Homes And Hospitals

Mattresses designed to prevent pressure sores are essential in healthcare facilities that serve patients who are bedridden or have limited mobility. Medical professionals recognise the value of pressure care in preventing problems and protecting patients' well-being. By using these specialised mattresses, hospitals show their dedication to providing their patients with optimum care by recognising the need for pressure ulcer prevention and control. These beds perfectly illustrate how seriously medical professionals take their patients' needs and how committed they are to providing exceptional care.

Conclusion

Pressure sore mattresses, also called pressure redistribution mattresses, can help avoid bedsores, which are caused by long-term exposure to pressure, shear tension, friction, and poor blood flow. Most bedsores happen in places where bones are close to the surface of the skin, like the feet, lower back, hips, and shoulders. Bedsores can happen if you can't move around, your blood flow is cut off, you lose your sense of touch, or your skin colour or texture changes. Bedsores are more likely to happen when a person is bedridden or can't move around. 

This is because pressure on bony prominences reduces blood flow to tissues, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the tissues. Shock from major diseases or accidents can also cut off blood flow, which makes it more likely that someone will get a pressure ulcer. Losing your senses can make it hard to feel pain or discomfort, which makes it harder to know when you need to change your position.

Also, darker skin colour, skin problems that make them look different, and skin problems that make them look different can make it harder to spot early warning signs of pressure damage and act to stop ulcers from forming. To keep people with these skin types from getting pressure ulcers, they need to be watched more closely and go through individualised diagnostic processes.

Shear is when skin and fat slide over bones because of gravity and friction. This is a key part of how pressure injuries happen. Beds that are raised can make this effect worse, causing internal tissue damage as well as damage to the skin. Pressure ulcers are more likely to happen with age, incontinence, and bad nutrition. Pressure care beds are made to keep people from getting pressure ulcers, especially if they are bedridden or in a wheelchair. These beds spread the pressure out over a larger area, so less pressure is put on any one spot for a longer time.

Pressure care beds come in three different types: air mattresses, foam mattresses, and hybrid mattresses. Air mattresses are made with air cells or pockets that provide active treatment that relieves pressure and takes some of the weight off of the tissues. Foam mattresses or static mattresses provide reactive treatment by putting pressure on the skin and tissues below it all the time. Hybrid beds are made of both foam and air mattresses, so they are both comfortable and supportive. A pump is needed to keep the air cells in these beds moving.

Bed sores can be prevented and treated with the help of pressure care mattresses, which help with blood flow, pressure redistribution, pain relief, comfort, and moisture control. These mattresses distribute weight properly, so weaker parts of the body don't have to work as hard. This keeps pressure ulcers from forming. They also keep twisting and frictional forces to a minimum, which cuts down on friction and irritation.

Pressure care mattresses are also helpful because they can be changed to fit the needs of each user. These mattresses offer a more supportive and comfortable place to sleep, which can help you get a better night's rest, feel less pain, and live a healthy life. Using an electric hospital bed and eating well are also good ways to avoid getting bed sores. Skin care is very important for older people, whose skin gets thinner and less durable as they get older. Based on the person's condition, medical professionals can give the right care and make ideas.

Pressure-relieving mattresses are also helpful in-home care because they give people who have to stay in bed for a long time access to important services that avoid pressure ulcers. They are important in hospitals and nursing homes because they show that they care about giving the best care and stopping pressure ulcers. Overall, pressure care mattresses are a complete way to avoid and treat bed sores, making sure that patients get the best care possible.

Content Summary

• Pressure sore mattresses help in preventing bedsores.
• Medical professionals refer to bedsores as "pressure ulcers."
• These ulcers are caused by prolonged exposure to pressure and poor blood flow.
• Bedsores most commonly develop near bony areas like the hips and shoulders.
• Bedsores can also be caused by strain on the sacrum.
• Regular assessments are crucial for the prevention of pressure ulcers.
• Pressure ulcers can result in higher healthcare expenses and longer hospital stays.
• Immobility greatly increases the risk of bedsores.
• Patients who can't reposition themselves are at a higher risk of pressure ulcers.
• Blood flow compromise increases the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
• Peripheral artery disease and venous insufficiency are conditions that can lead to poor blood flow.
• Shock can cause poor blood flow and increase ulcer risks.
• Sensory loss, like from spinal cord injuries, raises the risk of pressure injuries.
• Those with sensory impairments might not detect the need for repositioning.
• Early diagnosis of pressure ulcers can be difficult in patients with darker skin pigmentation.
• People with skin conditions like eczema require heightened monitoring.
• "Shear" can cause tissue damage and is a major factor in pressure injuries.
• This phenomenon is more pronounced when the bed's head is elevated.
• Both very young and elderly patients are particularly vulnerable to pressure ulcers.
• Incontinence can make skin more susceptible to breakdown.
• Poor nutrition can exacerbate pressure on bony prominences.
• Pressure care mattresses are designed to prevent pressure ulcers.
• Persistent pressure on bony areas like hips can lead to ulcers.
• Pressure care mattresses distribute pressure over a wider surface area.
• There are different types of pressure care mattresses, including air, foam, and hybrid mattresses.
• Air mattresses use an electrically powered air pump to reduce pressure.
• Foam mattresses continuously exert pressure on the skin and underlying tissues.
• Foam mattresses are designed with breathable protective covers.
• Hybrid mattresses combine both foam and air mattresses.
• Pressure care mattresses play a crucial role in bed sore prevention.
• These mattresses enhance blood circulation.
• They redistribute pressure over the body's surface.
• Pressure care mattresses also provide comfort and pain relief.
• They help in reducing pressure points across the body.
• Moisture management is another significant feature of these mattresses.
• They help in minimising shear and friction.
• Healthcare practitioners can customise these mattresses for individual patient needs.
• These mattresses greatly enhance the quality of life for bedridden patients.
• Apart from mattresses, eating well and using electric beds can also prevent bedsores.
• Proper skincare is an essential preventative measure.
• If bedsores do develop, immediate professional care is required.
• The severity and causative factors of the ulcer dictate the treatment approach.
• Pressure sore mattresses are also beneficial for home care.
• In home settings, these mattresses prevent bedsores in bedridden individuals.
• Nursing homes and hospitals also recognise the importance of pressure sore mattresses.
• These facilities use these mattresses for patients with limited mobility.
• Pressure care mattresses indicate the dedication of healthcare professionals.
• Bedsores can be associated with mortality. Hence, their prevention is crucial.
• Those with skin issues like dermatitis need special attention to prevent bedsores.
• Overall, pressure care mattresses play a pivotal role in patient care and bed sore prevention.