At first thought, staying in bed for extended periods of time sounds like a lovely idea. But, for many people who are disabled due to injuries, chronic neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, or recovering from illness, surgery, or who are in late-stage terminal illnesses such as cancer, it’s a way of life. 

One of the biggest challenges in caring for people who are confined to bed due to any of these  conditions is preventing bedsores by enhancing proper circulation while ensuring that areas such as the buttocks, lower back, and the backs of the thighs are relieved of the pressure caused by the body weight on the bed. One innovative solution is the implementation of an air mattress such as the Masonair AS8800 Alternating Pressure Mattress.

The AS8800 is constructed with twenty eight inch-high air cells that allow for rapid inflation and deflation to avoid pressure points, improving circulation while reducing the risk of bedsores. It has a removable cover  made of easy-to-clean, antimicrobial nylon, a non-slip mat, and safety straps to prevent slipping. Weighing in at only 22 pounds, this lightweight, but extremely durable mattress supports up to 350 pounds, comes in a choice of 80 or 84 inches in length by 36 inches in width by 8 inches in height, and is available with a built-in safety rail. Other features include a head pillow and the ability to rapidly deflate should the patient need CPR. In the event of a power failure, the bottom four inches of the cells remain inflated to keep the patient supported and comfortable.  

A 110-volt compressor pump directs 60 PSI of air into the cells which are regulated by microprocessors that inflate and deflate them in cycles of 10, 15, 20, or 25 minutes dependent upon a particular patient's needs to provide pressure relief as needed, or it can also be set in static mode. The comfort range is easily adjusted with the turn of a knob. A spring-loaded tube prevents kinking, and its quick connectors let the caregivers switch to transport mode swiftly and easily. Mutable visible and audible alarms alert caregivers to problems with pressure regulation. The AS8800 Powerloft PROTM LAL800 Pump has both CPR and Boilerplate labels, a large air intake filter, a cover with an all-around zipper for easy maintenance, and its dimensions are 12 inches by 9 inches by 4 inches while weighing in at only nine pounds. 

The AS8800 not only helps to keep patients comfortable and free of bedsores, but helps caregivers as well. By eliminating the need for constant repositioning, which takes up valuable time, and decreasing the risk of injury for the patient and the caregiver, this pressure relief system can help improve any facility's bottom line. A lower injury risk and time saving methods result in less worker's compensation claims and reduced legal costs from potential lawsuits.

Whether in a private home, a long-term residential care facility such as a nursing home, a hospital’s ICU or CCU, or a hospice, the AS8800 keeps patients comfortable, making life a little better even if much of their time is spent in bed. 

Fran Jablway,
Senior Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO