From Bedside to Courtroom: How Innovative Active Mattress System Enhances Patient Safety and Legal Compliance

Revolutionizing Pressure Ulcer Prevention

Pressure ulcers remain a significant challenge in healthcare, despite being largely preventable through consistent repositioning and the use of active pressure-relieving mattresses (1,2). Approximately 700,000 individuals in the UK alone are affected by pressure ulcers annually (3), indicating gaps in care practices and mattress functionality. One of the primary hurdles in addressing this issue has been the absence of reliable, actionable data that could help care providers improve repositioning protocols, optimize mattress use, and establish a strong legal defense in the event of adverse incidents.

Squirrel Medical®, a company specializing exclusively in Class 2a legally compliant active mattresses, has developed a groundbreaking solution to this problem. The Vestims active mattress system is designed to enhance patient safety through data-driven compliance and to offer solid legal support for care providers. Equipped with advanced tracking capabilities, this novel mattress system is not only improving outcomes for patients but also setting new standards in legal compliance and care transparency.

Why the Vestims® Mattress System is a Game-Changer

Vestims® active mattress is more than just a pressure-relieving device. It features an innovative History of Use (HUS) report that tracks all repositioning activities, power status, and mattress functionality in real-time. The HUS report can be exported for analysis, providing a comprehensive record that care providers can rely on for both patient safety and legal accountability.

The Vestims® system, previously demonstrated to improve resting blood flow by an incredible +336% (P=0.026) (2), not only meets clinical efficacy but also aligns with the highest regulatory standards for health and safety. This cutting-edge technology ensures that care practices are transparent, defensible, and most importantly, geared toward patient well-being.

Real-World Benefits for Patient Care and Legal Defense

The data generated by the Vestims mattress system offers tangible benefits on two fronts:

• For Patient Safety: The HUS report plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety by maintaining strict adherence to repositioning schedules and minimizing the risk of pressure ulcers. The ability to continuously track power status, low-pressure alerts, and other mattress functionalities means that care gaps can be quickly identified and addressed, ensuring uninterrupted therapy and better patient outcomes.
• For Legal Protection: The detailed records from the HUS report also serve as objective evidence in case of litigation. As a Class 2a medical device, the Vestims mattress is fully compliant with regulatory standards, ensuring that care providers have clear, defendable documentation of their adherence to repositioning protocols and mattress functionality. This is invaluable for care facilities looking to maintain transparent practices and a solid defense against potential negligence claims.

Elevating Patient Care and Legal Safeguards Simultaneously

Vestims active mattress system is a testament to how technology can enhance both patient care and legal compliance. By tracking repositioning compliance and mattress functionality meticulously, the system not only improves patient outcomes but also provides robust legal protection for healthcare providers. In a landscape where pressure ulcers are prevalent and legal accountability is crucial, the Vestims mattress sets a new benchmark for proactive patient care and legal defense.

Conclusion

Vestims® has paved the way for a new approach to patient safety and legal compliance with its active mattress system. The Vestims® mattress offers a seamless integration of data tracking for compliance, optimized functionality, and a safeguard for legal defense — ensuring that care practices are both effective and transparent. With the potential to significantly reduce pressure ulcer incidence and offer strong legal support, Squirrel Medical's Vestims active mattress is redefining standards in healthcare.

References

1. European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), and PanPacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA). (2019) Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: ClinicalPractice Guideline. (Accessed: 28 September 2024).
2. Baker, G., Bloxham, S., Laden, J., and Gush, R. (2019). Vascular endothelial function is improved after active mattress use. Journal of Wound Care, 28(10), pp. 676-682. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2019.28.10.676.
3. NHS England. (n.d.) Stop the Pressure. (Accessed: 28 September 2024).

#Garybaker#PressureUlcers #bedsores#TissueViability #EPUAP #SquirrelMedical #ActiveMattresses #DynamicMattresses #AlternatingMattresses #WoundCare #PressureUlcerPrevention #PatientSafety #HealthcareInnovation #LitigationInHealthcare #MedicalDevices #ClinicalCompliance #PatientOutcomes #LegalProtectionInHealthcare #SkinIntegrity #WoundManagement #HealthcareRiskManagement #PressureInjuryPrevention #MedicalTechnology #HealthcareCompliance