How a Low Air Loss Mattress Can Help Keep Patients Wound-Free

A wound or pressure wound is a medical condition usually caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. Prolonged pressure means when a patient is limited to bed or sitting in a wheelchair for long periods.

Since wound patients spend most of their time in bed, the traditional sleeping surface may not be ideal for them. Using a low air loss mattress will help prevent wounds and reduce the risk of developing pressure wounds.

The mattress has tiny laser-made air holes that alternately inflate and deflate and keep the patient float. The floating process helps to reduce moisture and keep the patient dry. Learn more about the complete working of a low air loss mattress and how it helps deal with wounds throughout this article.

 

What Causes Wounds or Pressure Wounds?

Pressure wounds, also known as pressure ulcers, sores, or bedsores, mean damage to the underlying tissues and skin. This medical condition is caused by constant pressure or friction on a specific part of our body.

The consistent pressure interrupts blood flow throughout the body, and that causes the skin to break down and cells to die. And the whole pressure wounds situation happens when any patient lies or sits in one particular position for a long time.

For patients suffering from pressure wounds, low air loss mattresses can provide the perfect form of treatment. Alongside providing effective treatment, using a low air loss mattress for speedy recovery patient is a proven and reliable treatment.

How Can a Low Air Loss Mattress Help Keep Patients Wound-free?

A low air loss mattress is not like any traditional mattress, and it’s specially designed for patients suffering from pressure wounds. This mattress has multiple inflatable air chambers that periodically inflate and deflate by following the patient’s movement.

And this swelling and deflating process does not keep the wound patient in one position for long. Low-loss air mattresses will help reduce stress from pressure points and help ensure proper oxygen and blood circulation throughout the body. You can learn more about how a low air loss mattress can help keep patients healed by following the steps below-

●     Ideal Positioning:

A low air loss mattress can reduce the symptoms of pressure wounds by producing the ideal bedding position. Prolonged pressure causes pressure wounds, and the low air loss mattress will constantly change the patient’s position and keep their skin dry.

By keeping the pressure wound patient’s skin dry, a low air loss mattress will also minimize the risk of pressure wounds. Whether the patient is confined to a bed or wheelchair for short or long periods, the air loss mattress will help treat and prevent pressure wounds.

●     Keep The Skin Dry:

Alongside providing an ideal position for pressure wound patients, the mattress will also help to keep the skin dry. A low air mattress has alternating air cells or tiny holes that expel air very slowly. The air exfoliating system helps to keep moisture away and keep the skin dry.

●     Increase Circulation:

Pressure gets worse because of improper blood circulation throughout the patient’s body. In that case, a low air loss mattress can be handy because it will help to promote blood circulation by keeping the skin dry. The mattress will keep the patient afloat and frequently reposition them to increase blood circulation.

●     Reduce Skin Friction:

Using any conventional bed for pressure wound patients can make the condition worse by creating uncomfortable friction. On the other hand, low air loss mattresses have air chambers that move, compress, and twist, which helps to reduce all kinds of friction. By reducing skin friction,  a low air loss mattress helps to minimize skin friction.

●     Suitable for All Stages of Wounds:

Pressure wounds have different stage levels, and the low air loss mattress is suitable for all stages. This bed is suitable for stage 1 to stage 4. Moreover, a low air loss mattress can also be effective for patients with suspected deep tissue injury and suffering from an unstageable level of pressure wounds.

 

How Does a Low Air Loss Mattress Work to Prevent Wounds?

 

A low air loss mattress keeps patients wound-free by preventing skin breakdown and ensuring adequate blood circulation. Well, do you want to know how exactly the low air loss mattress works? It works through its three components, including

• Air Chambers
• Pump
• Cover

Each of them works equally to maintain the patient’s proper health and also prevent pressure wounds. Here we’re going to explain how they work; all you have to do is follow the below steps:

–       Air Chambers:

The low air loss mattress has a bunch of air chambers made up of inflatable lasers that constantly blow air. The air chamber helps to create seamless surface support and keep the patient afloat. The whole process will reduce skin breakdown and moisture build-up and keep the patient dry.

–       The Pump:

Every low air loss mattress has a pump and blower that fills the air chambers with air. The pump will help to maintain the airflow through its several options. Some pumps even have an automatic pump option. All you have to do is adjust the air supply rate based on the patient’s wound conditions.

–       Mattress Cover:

The mattress cover is one of the essential things for a low air loss mattress. That is because the cover works on preventing body moisture and helps to cut down skin pressure from the surface. Moreover, the mattress cover will also help to wick the moisture and keep the patient dry.

Final Thought

When it’s about a bed or mattress for pressure sore patients, it requires close attention. Wound is a severe health condition that can cause severe damage to the skin and underlying tissues in the absence of proper treatment. And the most appropriate treatment is using a low air loss mattress.

This mattress will help distribute the patient’s body weight through its tiny laser-made air holes in the top. The whole process will keep the patient afloat, which will reduce skin breakdown and also promote blood circulation. In short, getting a low air loss mattress is mandatory for patients suffering from any type of pressure wound.