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Hospital bed gel overlay12/5/2023 ![]() ![]() With the help of this equipment, your patients can get a good night’s sleep and avoid the pain of pressure wounds – a happy ending, without the help of Prince Charming or the evil plotting of the Wicked Witch. And note that all patients who qualify for a home hospital bed, also qualify for gel mattress overlays for pressure wound prevention. For more information, check out our guidelines for documenting necessity for home hospital beds and gel mattress overlays. How to Document Medical Necessityĭocumenting medical necessity for any piece of equipment can be overwhelming, luckily, Wound Care Solutions is well-versed in medical documentation. The patient requires traction equipment that can only be attached to a hospital bed. The patient requires frequent changes in body position either for their condition or to alleviate pain (or both) that cannot be accommodated in a normal bed. They require frequent changes in position. The patient has a medical condition that requires that their head and upper body be elevated more than 30 degrees. If you have a patient that fits one or more of the following criteria, then a home hospital bed combined with a gel mattress overlay may be a helpful part of their home care program. How do I know if my patient needs a home hospital bed or a gel mattress overlay? They also help manage moisture, prevent the growth of bacteria, and are easy to clean. They have a non-shear, low-friction surface, addressing a common cause of pressure wounds. They distribute weight more evenly to relieve pressure, particularly around areas that lack sufficient padding from muscle or fat, like heels, hips, shoulder blades, elbows, and the tailbone. Gel mattress overlays provide an essential barrier between the patient and the surface against which they're constantly in contact. When combined with a gel mattress overlay, the benefits of a home hospital bed increase immensely. Wound Care Solutions offers a variety of home hospital beds, all expertly crafted to provide safety and comfort for patients at every level of home care. The Mayo Clinic lists adjustable beds and pressure-relieving mattresses as two helpful items that can prevent pressure wounds and improve patient comfort and quality of sleep. For example, sleep is involved in healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels.” According to the NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, “sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being. It’s this last point that we’ll explore more Gel Mattress Overlays and Home Hospital Bedsįor many patients, a home hospital bed is a key element on the road to optimal health and wellness a comfortable bed is essential for a good night’s sleep, and a good night’s sleep provides a foundation that supports all other elements of a treatment plan. Use a gel mattress overlay to provide an essential barrier between the patient and the bed surface. Even for patients who can’t get out of bed, simple exercise and range of motion activities can help reduce the risk of pressure wounds. Use pillows between parts of the body that press against each other, for example, under the tailbone, shoulders, heels, and elbows, or, for patients lying on their side, between the knees and the ankles.After washing, always pat skin dry with a towel. every couple of hours), to put less pressure on the skin. We also know that the following tips may help reduce the risk of developing pressure wounds: Shear. Shear occurs when two surfaces move in the opposite direction forĥ Ways to Reduce the Risk of Developing Pressure Wounds.Friction is exacerbated when skin is moist. For instance, when a patient changes position or is moved by a caregiver. Friction. Friction occurs when skin is dragged across a surface.Sustained pressure. When skin and the underlying tissues experience prolonged contact against a surface such as a wheelchair or a bed, skin cells may be damaged and eventually die.We’ve already learned about some of the causes of pressure wounds, but here is a quick recap:Īt the most basic level pressure wounds result from three primary contributing factors: ![]() Sadly, for patients at risk of pressure wounds, the bed can turn from a place of respite to a source of great stress and injury.Įnter the gel mattress overlay. Do you recall the story of Sleeping Beauty, who slept for 100 years? Or Snow White, who fell into a deep sleep until being awakened by a handsome prince? Or better yet, the Princess and the Pea, who was so sensitive to her sleeping arrangements that she was disturbed by a pea, 20 mattresses deep? If only such restorative rest was possible for everyone, not just the characters found in fairy tales. ![]()
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