The Top 10 Support Surface Considerations There’s a lot to think about when selecting a support surface! Not all products are created equal, and it’s important to be confident in your choice. To help you out, we’ve assembled a list of 10 questions that you should consider before selecting a new product for your facility. Question Considerations Should I buy or rent? Take time to determine how much it would cost to purchase a support surface outright versus renting one on a month-to-month basis. Multiply the monthly rental cost by the expected number of months the resident is expected to stay at the facility. If this number is higher than the purchase price, it makes sense to purchase the product outright. Is it simple to use? The ideal surface is easy to set up, operate and clean. It should also be able to perform multiple functions without requiring additional time-consuming adjustments by staff members. Does the supplier offer survey compliance tools and clinical support? Ask the supplier if they provide information on how the support surface fits into a comprehensive survey compliance plan. Do they have a clinical team to answer any questions you might have? What about a CEU program for your staff? Is it effective? Ask your supplier if they have any clinical documentation to show the surface's ability to prevent and help heal wounds. Is it safe? Support surfaces should help minimize the risk of resident falls and entrapment. Is it comfortable? Longer, more restful sleep helps promote wound healing. Is the support surface you are considering comfortable for sleeping? What is the warranty? Ask your supplier about the duration of the warranty and how claims are handled. Can I try before I buy? Discuss the possibility of a risk-free evaluation with your supplier. Does the surface protect against shearing? The support surface should be designed to prevent shearing-related tissue trauma. Is there therapy flexibility? Does the support surface offer more than one mode (for example, alternating pressure and static flotation modes) for maximum treatment flexibility? ANA: Nurses Shouldn't Avoid Social Media, Just Use It Wisely The American Nurses Association (ANA) recommends that nurses not shy away from using social media out of fear of violating patient privacy. Instead, they should just be careful to follow a set of professional standards. The ANA suggests that nurses: Avoid sharing identifiable patient information Take advantage of privacy settings and seek to separate personal and professional information online Alert the proper authorities of possible privacy breaches Work with their own organization to develop institutional policies related to social media To learn more, click here. P.R.O. Matt Plus The P.R.O. Matt Plus is a non-powered mattress replacement system featuring Pressure Redistribution Optimization (P.R.O.) technology. The mattress features a sophisticated internal hosing and valve system that is invisible to the caregiver and resident, but enables the surface to automatically adjust to each resident’s weight and body profile. In the non-powered mode, the P.R.O. Matt Plus is indicated for prevention through Stage II pressure ulcers. With the addition of an optional control unit and based on individual resident assessment, the P.R.O. Matt Plus can be used for the treatment of uncomplicated Stage III or IV pressure ulcers. Additional Features: Unique design requires no adjustments or manual inflation Viscoelastic foam topper provides maximum pressure redistribution, resident support and increased comfort Firm perimeter provides stability during resident care and contributes to resident safety by eliminating gaps between frames and side rails Fluid-proof, stain-resistant therapy cover is designed to enhance comfort and protect the resident's skin Non-skid, tear-resistant bottom prevents mattress sliding on the bed deck to reduce the risk of falls Optional additions: The P.R.O. Matt ES allows the P.R.O. Matt Plus unit to operate in three different modes: alternating pressure mode, powered static flotation mode and autofirm. Adding the CBC Control Unit allows the mattress to provide powered immersion or alternating pressure therapy. Facilities can use one mattress for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. Product pricing is only visible to registered promedsupply.com customers. If you are not yet registered, one of our Customer Care Professionals will be happy to get you set up. Just give us a call at (800) 648-5190.