Section 3 - The issue of infection control in patient care

Urine and most detergents are extremely corrosive and can destroy lawns, copper and steel - let alone a simple waterproof laminate – such as those found on waterproof mattresses.

Some critically ill patients are still placed on alternating air mattresses that have been “cleaned” rather than professionally decontaminated. This is extremely dangerous. Urine and most detergents will soon remove the invisible waterproof laminates of most waterproof mattress covers. This means that the mattress covers become quite porous - the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

A near sterile surface in terms of both bedding and mattress cover are required in order to prevent cross infection. Instances where this process has been transgressed have lead to serious cross infection of C-diff, Norwalk and MRSA and can now lead to charges of criminal negligence.
   
The most sensible solution is to use the dual cover option. This allows for the entire air mattress cover to be replaced with each new patient and for the old cover to be professionally decontaminated ready for the next patient.

The Squirrel Diamond comes with a dual cover option. This means that the entire cover is replaced in-between patients with a fresh one – and the old one can be professionally decontaminated at an approved decontamination centre.

The dilemma for care providers is how to provide a support surface capable of preventing pressure damage among high risk patients whilst using bedrails deemed necessary to prevent falls from bed and using an airflow mattress that will be in line with the latest decontamination procedures.

NHS Approved Supplier

Squirrel Medical has been successfully added to the NHS preferred suppliers list for its range of high specification digital pressure-relieving mattresses. This tender process considered ‘best value’ criteria based on several factors including price, performance and reliability as well as safety and regulatory compliance.