PRODUCTS & SERVICES


reduction, implementing a routine mattress inspection program and training staff to repair or replace a mattress when damage is identifi ed. “Most damage is repairable if it is identi-


fi ed early,” Lam continued, “so a proactive approach will allow hospitals to minimize the risks posed by compromised mattresses while reducing the budget required for equipment replacement. It will also help reduce citations from accreditation ser- vices such as The Joint Commission and increase the capacity of healthcare organi- zations to treat patients and, concomitantly, reduce revenue lost from removing beds from service while waiting for new equip- ment to arrive.” Adhering to proper and thorough proto-


cols “can allow for more satisfi ed end users, higher functionality of the products and less product downtime, which can lead to a better patient experience,” stated the Stryker spokesperson who also emphasized keeping diligent cleaning and maintenance records as required for accreditation. Healthcare organizations certainly can implement their own detailed procedures, but they could start with OEM recommenda- tions, according to Linet Americas’ Aitken. “Each manufacturer has tested and developed a program to clean and inspect mattresses,” he said. “The fi nancial impact [includes] details on how much the facility


is spending on replacement mattresses, hos- pital-acquired Infections and hospital-ac- quired pressure Injuries – all of which are related to the condition of the mattress.” TRSA’s Ketevong recommends keeping vigilant on textile protocols and standards, too, and think about sustainability practices. “TRSA has estimated that healthcare facil- ities lose roughly $840 million each year pri- marily from items lost or discarded as waste when they could have been washed and reused,” she noted. “Studies, such as one conducted by the University of Michigan Health System, have found that units that follow a clear bed-changing policy generate less waste on average compared to units without such a policy. “Establishing comprehensive [healthcare


textile] storage and distribution practices will not only reduce the spread of infection and promote a culture of safety in health- care settings, but it also can reduce costs by diminishing the expense of lost linen products,” she continued. “Healthcare providers may also wish to consider the balance of reusable linens versus dispos- able products in their bed and mattress maintenance planning. TRSA recommends maintaining an inventory of 50% reusable linens as a hedge against surges in demand, supply chain issues or other unanticipated disruptions that might prevent them from receiving regular shipments. By maintaining


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Aesculap .............................................................3 aesculapusa.com/aicon AFC Industries (Suspending Solutions) ....12 afcindustries.com Ahlstrom Nonwovens ..................................33 ahlstrom.com Angelini Pharma ............................................21 angelini-us.com Clorox Company ...........................................C3 cloroxhealthcare.com Cygnus Medical ................................................7 cygnusmedical.com Dale Medical Products ................................. 13 dalemed.com DETECTO ..........................................................11 detecto.com Entrotech LIfe Sciences ...............................15 prevahexCHX.com Healthmark Industries ................................C4 HMark.com Hubscrub .........................................................50 hubscrub.com Medtrica ...........................................................47 medtrica.com Metrex Research ............................................17 metrex.com Nozin ...................................................................5 nozin.com/nova Parker Laboratories .....................................23 ParkerLabs.com Pegasus...............................................................9 pegasusmedical.net Ruhof Corporation .......................................C2 ruhof.com TRSA .................................................................49 HygienicallyClean.org


This index is provided as a service. The publisher does not assume liability for errors or omissions. 50 June 2023 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS • hpnonline.com


a 50% reusable stockpile, hospitals and clinics ensure continued availability of hygienic linens.”


All told, however, Aitken urges healthcare organizations to embrace a new approach and attitude about beds and mattresses. “Begin treating the mattress as a medical device in the hospital,” he insisted. “The complexity and technology inside mat- tresses have been steadily evolving, and many in the hospital still see it as simply a thing under the patient.” HPN


Suggested additional references:


1. Best Practices for Cleansing, Disinfecting, and Care of Polyurethane Support Surface National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. https://cdn. ymaws.com/npiap.com/resource/resmgr/s3i/ S3i_NPIAP_Cleansing_Disinfec.pdf


2. Disinfecting hospital beds and mattresses: A time for change https://www.ajicjournal.org/ article/S0196-6553(21)00511-3/fulltext


3. United States Food and Drug Administration Hospital Beds – Covers for Hospital Bed Mat- tresses: Learn How to Keep Them Safe. https:// www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMed- icalProcedures/GeneralHospitalDevicesandSup- plies/HospitalBeds/ucm585737.htm


4. Meyer J., Nippak P., Cumming A., An evaluation of cleaning practices at a teaching hospital. Am J Infect Control. 2021; 49: 40-43


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