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Nearly all BWH inpatient beds and stretchers this summer will have new mattresses that help prevent skin breakdown. On Sunday, Aug. 3, BWH will execute the final phase of the mattress conversion to the AtmosAir 9000 pressure redistribution mattresses in the Dialysis Unit, Tower 9AB and Connors Center 8, 9 and 10.
“On the units that received the new mattresses in April, patient responses have been overwhelmingly positive,” said Lucy Feild, PhD, RN, Quality program manager.
In addition to the 108 bed mattresses being replaced on Sunday, BWH is replacing 347 stretcher mattresses with the stretcher version of the same mattress.
The mattresses, made by Kinetic Concepts, Inc., of San Antonio, Tx., feature a self-adjusting technology designed to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers. With nine air cylinders inside the mattress and a system of chambers and valves, these mattresses automatically adjust to body weight and evenly redistribute pressure. There are additional supports at the mattress rim and under the shoulders, seat and legs for additional comfort.
New stretcher mattresses will go to Connors Center 5 Recovery Room and Triage, the Emergency Department, Endoscopy, Day Surgery, Pre-Op Holding, Vascular Lab, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiovascular Recovery Room, Electrophysiology Lab, Angiography, Radiation Oncology and Radiology sites.
“We aim to replace all stretcher mattresses in the hospital, including those used to transport patients from one location to another,” Feild said.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, teams comprised of staff from Nursing, Central Transport, Environmental Services, Security and Materials Management will execute the exchange. With questions, contact Feild at pager 16015. On the day of the exchange, contact Diane Lancaster, PhD, RN, director of Quality Measurement and Improvement, at pager 31983.