Things To Consider When Choosing a Lateral Rotation Air Mattress
When it comes to medical bedding, bed sores, which are also known as decubitus ulcers, are something that medical professionals and those caring for loved ones want to avoid. Not only are these uncomfortable and painful for the patient, but these decubitus ulcers also can lead to tissue death and massive infections. For this reason, pressure relief systems like a lateral pressure relief mattress are great options. When you're taking care of a loved one, you want to have the best care devices, and one of these is an excellent option for just about any individual who spends most of his or her time in bed.
These mattresses are perfect for bedridden patients because they distribute the weight of the patient more evenly and relieve high levels of pressure on certain parts of the body. These mattresses can prevent minor blisters from progressing into outright ulcers and open, infected wounds.
What Causes These Types of Bedsores?
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are a result of pressure on the skin and can result quickly from extended periods spent in bed. There are a few locations that are usually more prevalent for bedsores to form. These include the tailbone, buttocks, spine, shoulder blades, and any part of the arms or legs that come in contact with the mattress. As a rule, if any area of the skin is being pinched or experiences a high level of pressure as a result of continuous contact, there ends up being a lack of oxygen and blood flow. As a result, this inhibits the nutrients that area of the skin receives, which is how these ulcers and blisters form.
Unfortunately, patients who experience pressure ulcers don't always heal completely, and many other conditions can result from the presence of bedsores. Decubitus ulcers can undoubtedly be treated, but why not prevent them before they form?
What Makes Lateral Rotation Mattress Systems so Valuable?
When using standard medical bedding, a medical professional such as a nurse will periodically have to rotate the patient to ensure no bedsores are forming. This can be time-consuming and far from precise, especially if you're taking care of a loved one. This is why a lateral rotation mattress is beneficial. These mattresses rotate as much as 40 degrees laterally, which means the mattress is doing all the heavy lifting and will move the patient. Some models even do this incrementally, which is far more comfortable for the patient.
These stand out for the prevention of bedsores because no part of the body will have to be in contact with the mattress for an overlong period. Has the patient spent too much time on his or her back? If so, you can command the mattress to shift the patient's weight to his or her side. Has the patient spent too much time on his or her side? This is also quickly resolved by using the lateral rotation function.
As a rule, these mattresses rotate very gently, which means it will be a very stress-free process for the patient. This is also useful for patients who are unable to change their sleeping position as a result of injury or unconsciousness.
Things To Consider When Choosing an Air Mattress for Medical Use
Having said all this, there are certainly some things to consider when choosing a lateral air mattress. In this section of our guide, we're going to give you a list of things to take into account when purchasing a product of this type.
What It Takes To Clean the Mattress
Unfortunately, the realities of extended bed rest will often mean that a mess will need to be cleaned up as a result of conditions like incontinence. As a general rule, some mattresses on the market are a bit easier to clean than others, so if you intend to purchase a mattress that you will need to clean frequently, look for one that has a design you can quickly wipe down and sanitize. An excellent choice, in this regard, is a mattress that is completely waterproof; with one of these products, you can use a detergent solution to quickly clean up any messes that may be present.
In addition to this, many mattresses of this type can also be purchased with machine washable covers that will protect the mattress so many messes. In many cases, these will have to be purchased separately, but these are often designed to be washed in your at-home washing machine. In general, these are relatively easy to remove, even when your loved one is resting on the mattress.
The Level of Mattress Durability
As air-filled products, you definitely want a lateral rotating mattress that has a high degree of durability so it can last for a longer period. In many situations, vinyl mattresses really stand out for their ability to be easily cleaned and their impressive level of durability. A good mattress will not experience any leaks, even after several years have elapsed.
Stable Edges
It's absolutely crucial to purchase a lateral rotating air mattress that has a firm construction and utilizes firm perimeters. Firm perimeters add a bit of stability to the edges of the inflatable mattress. This is especially crucial with an air mattress because the air cells can be very unstable.
Having an outer perimeter that's firmer also provides the resident with a "boundary area" that he or she can feel to know where the edges of the mattress are. This firm perimeter also makes it easier for the caregiver to initiate transfers with the patient since they'll be a firm section that the patient can roll up onto.
The Weight Capacity
When it comes to the weight capacity of the lateral rotating air mattress, there are many options on the market. As you might expect, some of these products require a very high weight capacity to manage larger patients, so it's not uncommon for a product of this type to accommodate patients who are 250 pounds and up. There are even products on the market currently that can manage patients as heavy as 600 pounds. The weight capacity of the product is going to be one of the most important statistics you will have to take into account. Is the patient heavy? Extended bed rest can sometimes lead to weight gain, so it's not a bad idea to err on the side of a more substantial capacity when purchasing a product.
How Comfortable Is It?
One of the essential features of a product like this is the level of comfort. Remember, these products are specifically designed to make rest more manageable by the patient, so if it doesn't sleep well, it's not doing its job. This level of comfort shouldn't just include a high level of support for those who sleep on their backs; a sound product should also make those asleep on their sides comfortable as well.
Unfortunately, comfortability is subjective. For this reason, you'll have to select a product that's going to either be soft or firm enough for the resident's personal needs. Fortunately, the best features of a modern air mattress are that you can adjust the firmness by deflating or inflating it.
How Long Does It Take To Inflate/Deflate?
When you're on the market for a hospital grade air mattress, you'll be surprised how long it can take to fill the air cells of the product. For some models, it can take as much as 45 minutes to fully fill the air mattress. This is because these mattresses oftentimes have a far more complex design due to the fact that they have to distribute the weight evenly.
Also, this issue can be somewhat exacerbated when there is a kink in the air hose you're using to inflate the product. Fortunately, you can usually massage out this kink to increase the speed of inflation.
If you're looking for a fast inflation process, take a look at the included blower. The blower, which is the device that pumps air into the air cells of the mattress, is often accompanied by a liter per minute (LPM) number, which will tell you how many liters of air the product can push into the mattress within a minute's worth of time. A good LPM rate will usually be over 1,200 LPM, but if the time of inflation isn't a major concern for you, slower speeds can also be adequate.
When you're ready to deflate the product, which is usually a good idea when you need to transport it, you can expect the deflation time to take about 10 minutes. This time can be increased if you might need to work out any kinks in the material before packing.
Products With Automatic Lateral Rotation
If you're working with a loved one who is almost completely immobile, products with automatic lateral rotation can be very convenient. A product of this type will move the patient periodically so that bedsores can't form as quickly. This type of automatic rotation occurs at fixed intervals and is explicitly designed to ensure that no part of the body experiences too much pressure over a preset period.
Low Air Loss
Products of this type will ensure that the mattress doesn't gradually deflate over time. This is accomplished by the presence of several micro holes throughout the construction, which allow cool air to pass through the outer material of the lateral rotation air mattress. This actually prevents the gradual loss of air, and it will also allow you to control the temperature level of the mattress, as well as the moisture within its air cells.
Products With Alternating Pressure
One of the reasons that bed sores form is due to high levels of pressure. For this reason, there are products on the market that have alternating pressure features that gradually reduce and increase pressure across the body of the mattress throughout its use. In most cases, this inflation/deflation function is performed in a pattern. This ensures that no part of the body experiences too much pressure at any given point. Some products even let you change the cycle times of inflation and deflation.
Product Comparison: Five Lateral Rotation Air Mattress Models
The Power Turn Elite is a lateral rotation mattress that has a heavy-duty level of functionality and a nice hospital grade air mattress design. When it comes to daily functionality, the mattress accommodates patients who weigh up to 650 pounds. The mattress itself only weighs about 23 pounds and has a dimension of 80 x 36 x 9 inches. The 36-inch width is very spacious for even larger residents.
When it comes to functionality, this product has both lateral rotations as well as true low air loss. The rotation settings automatically rotate the patient in intervals that range between five- and 95-minutes. Low air loss can be a great feature to prevent bedsores because it allows you to manage the microclimate in the bedding area so that moisture isn't a major contributing factor to the formation of ulcers. Additionally, the greater airflow is much more comfortable for the patient.
When it comes to inflation, the Power Turn Elite comes with a 1,800 LPM blower. The product also has firmness zones around the edges, which make it easy to transfer your loved one. The zones will also give your loved one an idea of where the edges of the mattress are. The automatic lateral rotation is designed not to function when the patient's head or feet are elevated.
Within the body of the mattress are 18 independent 9-inch deep air cells, which provide all of the lateral rotation functionality. Left or right turn features fall into two categories: 25-degree small turns or 40-degree large turns. The mattress is designed to fit into the body of just about all standard hospital beds. Additionally, the mattress also includes a foam base that has a high-density construction.
It also has a 12-foot power cord that has a hospital-grade design and is considered a UL 544 medical-grade piece of equipment. If the weight capacity of this product doesn't fit the needs of your loved one, there are also larger 42-inch and 48-inch mattresses in the same line that can support patients who are 750 and 1,000 pounds respectively.
One of the best features of the Prius Rhythm Turn mattress is its auto-fire function, which will refill the mattress when needed. The product also has an auto firm feature that will automatically increase the firmness of the mattress to the patient's needs. In addition to this, the mattress is very comfortable thanks to the quilted nylon cover on the top surface. Another comfort feature that makes this product stand out is the digital controls. With these, you can adjust the comfort level of the mattress using 10 digital comfort settings. Finally, with the controls, you can also access a massage mode that will help the patient become more comfortable while lying on the mattress.
When it comes to everyday use, the mattress can accommodate patients who are as heavy as 600 pounds and has a 36-inch width. When it comes to sizing, the Prius Rhythm has dimensions of 36 x 80 x 10 inches, so there's plenty of room for larger patients. Additionally, there are two other products in the line that can accommodate larger patients if needed. These mattresses have 42- and 48-inch widths respectively.
This product also has some excellent safety features. These include a CPR quick-release system, which will auto-deflate the mattress in about 20 seconds. Also, when the mattress detects low pressure or a power failure, it will produce a visual and audio alarm.
The mattress also has a lateral rotation that produces a small rotation (20 degrees) and a larger rotation (40 degrees). This is all controllable via the keypad. Internally, this mattress has 8-inch air cells, which perform all of the lateral movement. There are 18 of these cells, so there is a good level of coverage within the mattress body. Also, the mattress has a cycle time that can be adjusted anywhere between 3- to 95-minute intervals. The included blower has an LPM of 1,200, so you'll be able to inflate the product fairly quickly.
In addition to its lateral rotation function, the PressureGuard APM2 Safety Supreme Mattress also has an alternating pressure feature that ensures bedsores don't form on the resident's body. Effectively, this means there are two therapies available with one product, so this is a good option for versatility. You can also control these functions via an easy-to-use control unit. This control unit is compact and lightweight, which can be very useful.
When it comes to the physical design, this is a mattress that has a raised perimeter. Not only does this aid in patient safety, but it also makes it relatively easy to transfer patients. This feature, which is called the Safety Edge by PressureGuard, also helps gently "nudge" the patient toward the center of the mattress, which will help prevent falls. Also, to better facilitate transfers, this PressureGuard mattress has a timed 20-minute auto-firm mode.
It's important to note that, unlike some of the previous mattresses that have been covered here, this product's lateral rotation function isn't programmable. This means the caregiver will have to flip a switch periodically to ensure the mattress is rotating the patient correctly. The process of lateral rotation is accomplished by the two sides of the mattress inflating and deflating alternately. With it, the patient is rotated about 20 degrees to each side. After five minutes have elapsed, the process reverses, which will keep the pressure on the body of the patient normalized.
Compared to some of the previous products, this product has a much lower weight capacity; at maximum, the product can manage patients who weigh less than 350 pounds. Despite this, the mattress stands out thanks to its cover. This component is entirely fluid-proof and won't tear under most circumstances. The cover is also flame-resistant and bacteriostatic as well. The product has a 35-inch width and a 75-inch length, so it has plenty of room for most patients.
This product is another non-automatic rotational mattress that can add a lot of convenience to the healthcare process. When you are using this product, you'll have an option for a low air loss mode or rotational mode. The low air loss mode is designed to keep the patient comfortable and centered on the mattress. Also, 200 liters per minute of air flow are provided with this mode, which will provide the needed level of firmness for the patient.
The rotational mode is activated by the caregiver, and once it begins, the mattress will start to turn in one direction so that part of the patient's body is lifted off the mattress. Once the patient has been shifted for a preset amount of time, the mattress will switch back to the other direction. While this process isn't automatic, it's relatively easy to control by a control panel.
The dimensions of this product are relatively large; it has a length of 80 inches, a width of 36 inches, and a height of 10 inches. The control panel also allows the caregiver to decide which side of the mattress is lower or higher. The control unit has a touch control design, which can add a lot of convenience for the caregiver.
By default, this mattress has the highest weight capacity of the products that we've been comparing in this guide. For larger patients, this Patriot mattress can accommodate over 1000 pounds. The fabric on top of the mattress is also very stretchy, which can provide a good level of comfort. The top surface is made of vinyl, so it is reasonably spill-resistant and easy to clean. The air cells are also very durable; they are crafted out of 200 denier nylon, so it'll be tough to spring a leak.
The final product in our "Things To Consider When Choosing a Lateral Rotation Air Mattress" guide is the Masonair Lateral Rotation Mattress. This product has a built-in microprocessor that is designed to control the automatic motion system which makes it a reasonably automatic lateral rotation mattress. In addition to its rotational abilities, this mattress has low air loss and even has protections against electrical power outages. When the lights go out, the amount of air inside of the mattress will remain normalized.
In addition to these basic features, this mattress also has 10 comfort adjustment levels that you can access via the control device. For this reason, this is a good mattress for anyone looking for a maximized level of versatility. When it comes to weight capacity, this Masonair mattress can accommodate patients who are as heavy as 500 pounds.
The cycle time for a rotation is also adjustable; you can select intervals of 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes. The mattress is also equipped with sensors throughout its body, which allow it to adjust the settings to meet the needs of your loved one.
Conclusion
Finding the right air mattress for medical use for your loved one is crucial. Bedsores are very dangerous, so finding the right product to help reduce the incidence of this condition can keep them safe. Each of the products featured here is designed to keep bedridden individuals healthier, so retake a look at the guide on what to consider when purchasing this type. Also, take a look at our comparisons to find the product that might fit your needs the best.
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