Low air loss mattresses can offer a crucial form of care that has been shown to let the patients or users stay at home in their beds and out of the hospital for those who have pressure ulcers or are at high risk of acquiring them.
After each day, most of us use our beds as a haven of relaxation and relief. It’s where we can relax from the pressure of our to-do list or the major project due next week and fall into a blissful sleep. But for patients who are bedridden because of disease or restricted mobility, the bed can be the most hated because it causes stress and discomfort, especially when pressure sores develop.
A mattress with reduced air loss is made with pressure sores. The patient is never left in one position for an extended period since the mattress comprises numerous inflatable air tubes that alternately deflate and inflate, simulating the action of a patient changing in bed or being turned by a carer. This action relieves pressure under the body, especially in areas with less padding, such as shoulders, heels, hips, and elbows, to prevent, manage, and treat pressure wounds. It also ensures proper air circulation.
What does air loss mean, and what makes them useful?
These mattresses that alternate pressure require constant air pumping in contrast to non-medical air mattresses to cause the pressure to rotate between the various chambers. The fact that these chambers are made with tiny ventilation holes is another reason why the pump runs continuously.
These holes serve two purposes: first, they enable the alternating pressure function by allowing the chambers to deflate when the air supply is stopped; second, they allow air to circulate inside the mattress, preventing stagnation that a non-medical air mattress with high air-loss can produce. A damp, heated, stagnant environment is produced by surfaces that don’t “breathe,” which increases the chance of sore development. The body is kept cooler and drier in comparison, thanks to the continual airflow produced by the reduced air-loss design.
Who should use a low air loss mattress?
The low air loss mattress can be helpful to those preventing and treating pressure sores or wounds and are ideal for patients who are at risk of them, such as those who are immobile or have poor sensory perception or patients with conditions that affect blood flow; in other words, any patient who is unable to move around to reposition themselves while lying in bed. A low air loss mattress is crucial for comfort and therapy for individuals with several stages 2 or 3 wounds.
Can a low mattress have a sheet placed upon it?
Given that they compress the air cells and obstruct airflow, you shouldn’t use the fitted sheet on mattresses with low air loss. Instead, flat sheets made of thin knit or jersey cloth are recommended. Low air loss mattress coverings have a particular construction that lets air flow while preventing moisture buildup. Doing this creates a microclimate between the user’s skin and the mattress to maintain comfort and stop skin deterioration. Incontinence briefs are quilted reusable pads that restrict airflow and keep moisture close to the skin. It is preferable to use disposable incontinence pads made for low air loss mattresses.
Top 3 best picks for low air loss mattresses
A low air loss mattress will be a wise choice if you need to spend any time in bed, whether in the hospital or at home. A low air loss mattress can help you maintain a comfortable position while relieving strain on key body parts. Here are the best picks for low air loss mattresses that you can choose from.
The Invacare microAir provides an alternating pressure mattress system with low air loss to help prevent and treat pressure injuries. It can treat pressure ulcers in stages 1 through 4 with this mattress. Cells are inflated and deflated by the alternating 3 in-1 mechanisms at a 3:1 ratio. 2/3 of the user’s body is guaranteed to be supported at all times thanks to the alternating pressure system, while the remaining 1/3 receives active pressure relief. With the microAir, eight different comfort levels are available; 5, 10, 15, or 20-minute intervals are the options for cycle times. Its nylon cover is extremely vapored and permeable, which contributes to maintaining normal moisture levels.
For those who require prolonged bed rest, alternating pressure mattresses can be lifesavers. Drive Medical’s Balanced Aire Self-Adjusting Convertible Mattress is made to help those who must spend a lot of time in bed avoid developing certain health problems. The air bed and the motor make up the powered system, and the mattress is the only option that is not powered. Individual air cells that make up the mattress are enclosed within a high-density foam perimeter to ensure a seamless transition from the side rail to the air cell. A common site for pressure sores, the mattress is sloped downward to the foot area to lessen pressure on the heel.
This mattress offers outstanding patient comfort as a motorized, air-filled support surface. Giving the patient the support they desire and require while assisting in pressure ulcer prevention. The Balanced Aire’s three distinct zones of foam-filled two different types of foam separate air cells for optimal comfort. The alternating pressure pump transforms the Balanced Aire into a dynamically driven system for better pressure redistribution and enhanced circulation.
Final Thoughts
All mattresses help keep you comfortable while bedridden by decreasing pressure on skin areas. We hope this low air loss mattress is an excellent choice for you to consider. Always seek medical advice from your doctors, who can advise you on the best course of action for you or a loved one.
We at AvaCare Medical are here to assist you in making an educated choice. Please get in touch with our medical professionals if you’re unsure whether a low air loss or alternating pressure mattress is best for you so we can guide you in the proper direction. Contact us right away by phone at 1-877-813-779 or via email at info@avacaremedical.com.