The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) defines support surfaces as “specialized devices for pressure redistribution designed for the management of tissue loads, microclimate, and/or other therapeutic functions.” These surfaces address the mechanical forces associated with skin and tissue injury, such as pressure, shear, friction, and excess moisture and heat. It is therefore critical to choose an appropriate support-surface therapy that corresponds correctly to the patient’s condition. Let’s address two considerations below to see how MediLogix can provide appropriate clinical solutions to specific patient needs.
Support surfaces can be reactive or active depending on the patient’s needs. Reactive support surfaces respond to the patient’s body, conforming to it as the body sinks into the surface. Active support surfaces can redistribute load with or without an applied load. Active support surfaces change constantly with inflation or deflation of specific air bladders, based on preset cycles, which, in turn, alters pressure on the skin and tissue periodically at preset intervals.
MediLogix uses only the highest quality Span America “PressureGuard APM2 Mattress” in its rental fleet. With its two distinct therapy modes, the PressureGuard APM2 provides twice the treatment options. The APM2 allows you to change instantly and easily from alternating pressure to basic lateral rotation with a single, recessed toggle switch, requiring no disconnecting or exchanging of air lines. Unlike typical “roll up” mattresses Span American’s PressureGuard system provides a foam perimeter, or “Safety Edge,” minimizing the risk of falls and patient entrapment.
Microclimate. A patient’s microclimate is the skin’s heat and humidity (temperature and moisture level). Moist skin adds an additional risk factor for pressure-ulcer development. Research shows that as the skin warms, moisture increases, weakening the skin and further increasing pressure-ulcer risk from the mechanical forces of shear and friction.
Low-air-loss support surfaces help correct the skin’s microclimate. They maintain the skin’s heat and relative humidity by providing a flow of air that cools the skin and removes moisture. Managing the pressure along with the skin’s microclimate is important in preventing and healing pressure ulcers.
MediLogix addresses these needs with Span America’s state of the art support surfaces, the “PressureGuard Protocol Low Air Loss Mattress”. Span America’s newest air therapy system brings together two time-tested design exclusives: a proprietary “Air Diffusion Matrix,” which offers direct delivery microclimate management (“low air loss”) for control of excess moisture, with the clinically proven PressureGuard® integrated air system/engineered foam shell design for an ideal combination of immersion, envelopment, shearing reduction, active air therapy, fall prevention, comfort, stability, fast set-up and ease of cleaning.
Combining the alternating pressure with a low air loss surface, MediLogix also offers a “PressureGuard Easy Air LR Lower Air Loss/Lateral Rotation Mattress.” This surface combines the popular PressureGuard Easy Air, the low-air-loss surface independently documented to outperform every leading low air loss system in moisture removal, with the alternating pressure and lateral rotation modalities found in the effective PressureGuard APM2.
The result: The most versatile, multi-modality surface on the market. Remarkably, it does so with none of the compromises low air loss users have come to accept, thanks to its exclusive Air Diffusion Matrix technology and PressureGuard air/foam design. Easy Air LR won't lose inflation in a power outage. Its stable surface won't "swallow up" the user. And its Safety Edge™ won't collapse like air-only mattresses can, making transfers safer. It won't make the user too hot or too cold, either.
Let us address your specific needs by helping your clinical team design an appropriate support surface algorithm for your company.
About MediLogix
MediLogix is the market leader in providing on-demand equipment rental solutions for care providers throughout the United States. Our clinical and business solutions help create Continuity of Care. Care providers are empowered to deliver better patient outcomes, while lowering rental usage and minimizing cost. MediLogix created the first dashboard reporting tools in the market, allowing care providers to finally make informed decisions. MediLogix is the only national rental company in North America to exclusively support Span America’s Therapy Support Surfaces, the safest and most clinically effective products on the market.
