CQC - Active Mattresses & Weight Settings

The Care Quality Commision (CQC), has identified several compliance issues regarding active mattress management, especially weight settings. For example, an inspection at Elmsleigh Care Home revealed:

"Pressure mattresses were in place for people at risk of skin damage. However, the mattresses were not monitored to ensure they were correctly set for each user. Incorrect settings pose a risk of skin damage."

-- CQC Report on Elmsleigh Care Home

This finding highlights the importance of setting pressure mattresses correctly to prevent skin damage.

The CQC writes in their guidance document care providers must ensure that equipment that is used to deliver care and treatment

"is clean, suitable for the intended purpose, maintained, stored securely and used properly. Providers retain legal responsibility under these regulations when they delegate responsibility through contracts or legal agreements to a third party, independent suppliers, professionals, supply chains or contractors. They must therefore make sure that they meet the regulation, as responsibility for any shortfall rests with the provider."

Innovative Solution: Vestims Mattress

The patented Vestims® mattress includes an automatic weight assessment feature, adjusting internal air pressures hourly to cater for potential changes in the patient's weight and so deliver optimal pressure care. Clinical studies have shown that the Vestims mattress automatically improves resting blood flow to the skin by 336%, without additional clinical intervention.

Ensuring Optimal Patient Care

Care providers looking for reliable and effective solutions should consider the Vestims active mattress, registered as a Class 2a medical device with the MHRA, to ensure their mattresses automatically and accurately assess patient weight.

For further details, refer to the CQC guidance document.