Could Your Damaged Mattress Covers Lead to Infection? On April 19, the FDA released a Safety Alert to warn healthcare professionals about the risk of contamination and infection associated with damaged or worn mattress covers. The agency noted that it is concerned that this risk is both widespread and under-recognized. According to the alert, the FDA received 458 reports between January 2011 and January 2013 of medical bed mattress covers failing to prevent blood and other body fluids from leaking into mattresses. This leakage can occur when mattress covers become worn or damaged by incorrect cleaning, disinfecting and laundering. Zippers on mattress covers can also allow fluid to penetrate mattresses. Some of the reports that the FDA received indicated that if a mattress becomes contaminated by the body fluids of one resident, those fluids can later leak out when another resident is placed on the mattress, putting that resident at risk for infection. The FDA recommends performing the following mattress inspections and maintenance: Regularly check each medical bed mattress for any visible signs of damage or wear, such as cuts, tears, cracks, pinholes, snags or stains. Routinely remove the medical bed mattress and check its inside surface. Once the mattress cover is removed, inspect the mattress for wet spots, stains or signs of damage or wear. Check all sides and the bottom of the mattress as well. Immediately replace any medical bed mattress cover with visible signs of damage or wear to reduce the risk of infection. Do not stick needles into a medical bed mattress through the mattress cover. If you discover that any of the mattresses in your facility need to be replaced, please reach out to your ProMed territory manager. We have a complete line of support surfaces to meet all of your residents’ needs. You can also connect with us by calling (800) 648-5190.

Happy National Nurses Week! National Nurses Week 2013 kicked off yesterday, May 6, and will run until May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. The theme of this year's celebration is "Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care." The American Nurses Association, which spearheads the celebration, included this tribute to the nursing profession on their website: "Often described as an art and a science, nursing is a profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers. As nurses, we work in emergency rooms, school-based clinics and homeless shelters, to

name a few. We have many roles – from staff nurse to educator to nurse practitioner and nurse researcher – and serve all of them with passion for the profession and with a strong commitment to patient safety." Here at Professional Medical, we’re fortunate enough to partner with dedicated, caring nurses on a daily basis. We are inspired by the care you deliver to the residents who depend upon you and salute your integrity and commitment. Thank you for all that you do!

The Pressure-Reducing Foam Multi-Ply 6500 Mattress, our Compliance® Solution, is a multi-layered pressure-reducing mattress with a top layer of die-cut, high-density foam in the head and torso areas and highly resilient foam in the heel area for a comfortable pressure-reducing environment. Additional features: 350 lb weight capacity Middle layer of foot section has precision channel-cut foam, which provides additional pressure reduction in the heel area Bottom layer of high-density foam provides a firm foundation Solid-edge support for easy resident transfer Four-way stretch nylon waterproof cover Designated head and foot sections Concealed zipper and Barrier Stop Over-Flap prevent liquids from contaminating mattress core Fire sleeve available to meet Federal Fire Code CFR 16 part 1633 WARRANTY: 6 years

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