One of the biggest concerns for healthcare providers is ensuring that both short-term and long-term patients and residents can get a good night’s sleep. Each patient and person is different, with unique sleep preferences and different medical requirements that must be met. Finding the right mattress supplier for a healthcare provider is therefore a vital part of treatment and care. The correct mattress for an individual can make a significant difference to their recovery and comfort, no matter the injury, illness, or type of treatment they are facing.
How do you go about finding the best healthcare mattress?
Assess the needs of the patient. Every patient is different, so if you are looking for one type of medical mattress this will be easier than if you manage the procurement of mattresses for a hospital where there are many different patients with different needs. In that case, you can find the best mattresses that combine various needs for the best balanced approach. Look at medical conditions, whether patients have pressure ulcers and sores, what sort of mobility a patient has, and the budget you have to play with. These factors, along with different types of comfort preferences, will play a role in the type of healthcare mattresses you purchase.
Types of medical mattresses
There are different types of healthcare mattresses that you can choose from. These include:
- Innerspring mattresses – coils covered with padding to offer durability and good levels of support.
- Foam mattresses – offering pressure-relieving properties, these offer comfort by conforming to the shape of the patient.
- Air mattresses – air chambers are used to adjust the firmness of the mattress and redistribute pressure, helping to alleviate pressure sores and ulcers.
- Gel mattresses – offer great layers of support to distribute pressure evenly and help to treat ulcers.
- Bariatric mattresses – these are designed for heavier individuals, offering greater levels of support and durability.
The danger of pressure sores
One of the biggest worries with patients is the presence of pressure sores and ulcers. The right healthcare mattress can help to alleviate the symptoms and offer comfort from often painful pressure points on the body. Redistributing pressure promotes better blood flow and reduces the risk of bed sores.
Maintenance and cleaning
It’s important that you choose a mattress that is easy to clean and maintain, as there is a requirement for the highest standards of hygiene in a healthcare setting with high turnover of patients. Removable covers that can be easily washed are important, and the durability of the mattress is also important.
Patient mobility
Low-friction covers and rotational mattresses play a big part in helping you manage patients with limited mobility or where there is the need to change position frequently. The comfort and support a mattress provides a patient goes a long way to providing long-term recovery.
Choosing the right mattress supplier
Evaluating the mattress supplier is also crucial. Look for those with industry accreditations and reputation, with positive customer reviews and links to the relevant industry codes of practice. Good customer support and aftercare are important, as is the scheduling of delivery and the set-up of medical mattresses.
Choosing the best mattress supplier for your specific healthcare provider needs is crucial to ensuring that your patients are well looked after. It will have a significant impact on the comfort, support, and well-being of each patient. If you are the person responsible for procuring healthcare mattresses for a hospital, care home, or other type of medical setting, choosing the best mattress supplier will make your patients’ lives much better. If you are a caregiver for a person at home, finding the best healthcare mattress will help with levels of comfort and specific support for the individual depending on their condition.
