New regulations for lifting and handling of patients by carers and nurses mean changes to the standard profiling and lifting beds. A conventional electric adjustable bed that is also a height adjustable bed and designed for nursing care generally  has a height of 40cm from the floor to the bed platform. A risk assessment carried out in a care home or nursing home will generally identify a percentage of residents at risk of falling out of these beds. The cot sides that are intended to prevent falls can actually increase the problem. Information from a local county council relating to the use of bed safety rails.     “Bed safety rails should not be prescribed where the bed occupant is likely to

climb over them to get out. This would be seen as restraint as well as increase risk of injury.”

In other words, if the occupant were to wake up confused and disorientated or feel the need to get out of bed, they may panic and try to climb over the cot side.

Their Recommendation,

• Lowering bed height, if bed is adjustable or raised on blocks. Beds

should always be left at lowest setting to reduce risk of injury from falls.

• Putting a crash mat on the floor next to the bed.(consider trip hazard)

Better than this is the use of a low entry nursing care bed. The low entry nursing care bed should generally be used without the bed safety rails or cot sides raised. The Casa Med Classic FS Low http://www.bed-adjustable.co.uk/products/Nursing-Beds-Medical-Care-Mattresses.html is a particularly good looking homely style nursing care bed which looks better with the safety sides in the down position giving the appearance of a conventional bed frame. For a small saving the Casa Med Classic FS Low entry nursing care bed can be supplied without safety rails.

The low entry nursing care beds should also be used in conjunction with a safety mat or crash mat. A risk assessment should always be carried out for the correct safe product application and use.

Safety Mat or Crash Mat

Crash Mat

Casa Med Classic FS Low bed (This is the better one)

High Quality Low Entry Nursing Bed

Casa Med Classic FS Low bed

The new Casa Med Classic FS Low bed has been specifically designed to ensure the bed complies with the medical directive by maximising the safe working height of 63cm and ensuring the lowest possible position of 23cm is achieved. This enables the end user to transfer safely to and from the bed with no interference from the side rails, maximising safety and comfort.

Low Entry Nursing Care Bed Price £845 (Excludes VAT)

Pressure Care Nursing Mattresses Prices from £150 (Excludes VAT)

Follow the link below to see details of the range of Pressure Care Nursing Mattresses made 6” depth

http://www.bed-adjustable.co.uk/products/therapists-medical-bed.html

Technical specifications of the Casa Med Classic FS Low entry nursing care bed.

• End caps fitted to side rails
• Fixed frame is robust and stable
• No tools required for assembly
• Transport bracket aids storage and transportation
• Quick release Dewert motors and control system
• Dewert handset
• Integrated side rails that drop lower than the mattress, aids patient transfer
• Low / high adjustable
• Electric backrest, leg rest and knee-break
• Dual action headrest and knee break adjustment on handset, to help reduce shear when profiling
• Manual lower leg section levelling device
• Double rim lock castors
• 4-section mattress support, 2 motor adjustments, separable for transport
• Three year warranty (parts only)

The Casa Med SE Low Entry Nursing Care Bed

Budget Low Entry Nursing Bed

Cheaper looking (Not so good and the same price)

The Casa Med SE Low bed is an attractive low profiling bed with a four-section mattress support. It offers a luxurious range of positioning options providing maximum comfort, support and independence. The low positioning from the floor makes getting into and out of bed easier and safer.

The only downside is that it is more expensive and will increase the cost of the adjustable bed. Considering all the benefits, the extra cost is worth paying.

Comments

Dear – Customer Details Removed –

I would say that your work will be very difficult with the mattress inflated. so it would be no problem deflating the air mattress. Quickest method rather than switching it off, because the alternating air mattress will stay pressurised for some time. Just disconnect the push fit hoses where they join the pump (Depending on the manufacturer) 

It normally takes about 3 – 5 minutes to reinflate, however there will still be some pressure relief during this time.

Something to check first. Depending on whether it is a full replacement alternating air mattress or an overlay.

The over lay air mattress should be used with an underlay foam mattress approximately 2″ thick. this will be fine for your patient short term.

A full replacement alternating air mattress, should have a foam base section built in. If the mattress has a CPR feature, the air is released very quickly to administer CPR and the patient will be on the built in foam base.

Any further advise please email or call, and maybe give details of the air mattress and your patients conditions. Good luck John