Meeting Medical Mattress Quality Standards

 

Medical mattresses are designed to meet specific quality standards to ensure patient safety, comfort and hygiene. These standards are established to address the unique needs of healthcare environments as well as the patients utilizing these mattresses. Some key quality standards for medical mattresses include:

 

Infection Control Standards

Water Resistance: Medical mattresses should be water-resistant to prevent the penetration of liquids, including blood and other bodily fluids. This helps with infection control and ensures easy cleaning. MedMattress Care Hospital Bed Mattresses all feature an anti-contamination, fluid protection flap that redirects fluids away from the zipper, reducing the possibility of fluids damaging the foam core.

Antimicrobial Properties: Many medical mattresses are treated with antimicrobial agents to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, reducing the risk of infections. With infection control and patients’ health in mind, MedMatress created mattress covers that are antibacterial and antifungal.

 

Fire Safety Standards

Fire Retardant Materials: Medical mattresses should comply with fire safety standards to minimize the risk of fire hazards in healthcare settings. MedMattress Care Mattresses meet Federal Fire Code 16 CFR Part 1633 and in the case of a fire, Care Mattresses have built-in fire barriers that protect the foam core and adds an additional layer of fire protection. The Advanced through Bari Ultra Care Mattress options also contain a built-in thermally-sealed secondary fluid barrier that’s placed between mattress cover and foam core to ensure foam remains dry and sanitary if outer cover is compromised.

 

Durability and Performance

Material Quality: With medical mattresses being a large investment for facilities/consumers, longevity is an important factor in choosing a mattress. The materials used in medical mattresses should be durable, resilient and capable of withstanding repeated use and cleaning.

Pressure Redistribution: Medical mattresses often incorporate features for pressure redistribution to prevent the development of pressure ulcers in bedridden patients. Our Care Mattress line offers a sleep surface solution for patients of all risk levels requiring varying levels of pressure redistribution. From the original Care Hospital Bed Mattress to the Bari Ultra Care, MedMattress has you covered with our line of mattresses created to align with the Braden Scale. All MedMattress foam mattresses are also created with CertiPUR-US® certified foam to ensure the highest quality mattress for your patients.

 

Mattress Size and Compatibility

Compatibility with Hospital Beds: Medical mattresses should be created to fit standard hospital bed frames in order for beds to function as designed. For example, incorrect or incompatible sizing can create large gaps between the mattress and bed frame, which can lead to high risk of patient entrapment. MedMattress provides medical support surfaces to fit any hospital bed in your facility while not compromising the functionality of important bed features that promote patient safety.

 

Biocompatibility

Hypoallergenic: To minimize the risk of allergic reactions and ensure patient safety, medical mattresses should be hypoallergenic. Care Mattresses feature a fluid resistant, antibacterial, antifungal, stain resistant, antistatic, non-allergenic, non-irritating, self-deodorizing and latex free cover, protecting patients from harmful allergens, bacteria and more.

 

Regulatory Compliance

FDA Approval: In the United States, medical mattresses should comply with regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Cleaning and Maintenance

Ease of Cleaning: Medical mattresses should be easy to clean and disinfect to maintain a sterile environment. In addition to being self-deodorizing and stain resistant, Care Mattress covers have a 360° zipper that allows for convenient internal mattress inspection and easy replacement if need be.

 

Comfort and Ergonomics

Patient Comfort: The design of medical mattresses should prioritize patient comfort and support while addressing the patient’s medical needs and risk level. Our healthcare grade nylon covers are created from ultra-soft, four-way stretch fabric that reduces friction and provides a low shear surface while maintaining integrity and soft-to-the-touch feel. For that same soft feel with added protection, the Nymed™ healthcare grade nylon top covers feature a permanent polyurethane coating that provides additional fluid resistance.

Added Support: The FirmEdge™ passive restraint system is specifically designed with two (2) zones of ultra-firm foam to provide extra support during patient entry or egress.

 

Labeling and Instructions for Medical Mattresses

Clear Instructions: Clear and comprehensive instructions should be provided for proper use, maintenance, cleaning and longevity of the mattress.

 

Key Takeaways

Adherence to these quality standards ensures that a facility’s medical mattresses contribute to the overall well-being of their patients and help maintain a safe and hygienic healthcare environment. It’s always important for healthcare facilities to check and verify that the medical mattresses they use comply with relevant standards and regulations in their region.