john S., on Dec 21 2007, 02:58 PM, said:
The part that actually creates a healing surface is the Low Air Loss. Once there is a wound, alternating pressure can be the wrong effect you want from a mattress. When the pressure alternates it doesn't take much imagination to see it will create a shearing effect as well. If a mattress has 120-160 cubic feet of air per minute leaking through its top surface, the patient is on an air barrier and the capillary compression drops low enough for skin to actually begin healing again.
Often they pass off AP mattresses as being low air loss. One I saw on E-bay only lost 7-9 litres of air per minute. A good air pump on a fish tank provides more air than that. Be sure to shut it off when not in use because they don't last much longer than their warranty.
john
High-Quality MedTech 5000 mattress overlay maximizes therapy with low air loss
and alternating pressure. The 5-inch air cells provides more air cushion than other equivalent models enabling better flotation. It is light
and easy to transport. Adjusts easily
for patient com
fort; static mode
for dressing changes
and pain management. CPR-pull
for emergency deflation. Air cells
and top cover are replaceable.
* The MedTech 5000 offers pressure relief-alternating that alternates cells fill
and empty on a 9-minute cycle
* The 5" individual air cells are easy to replace in seconds.
* Simply by pressing the static button, the alternation is halted to per
form patient transfers or other procedures.
* The CPR Pull allows
for easy release of air in the event of an emergency; just reinsert the plug to use system again.
* The ultra-soft top cover is laminated with polyurethane
for excellent stain resistance, soft
and smooth minimize friction. Fluid-proof.
* The low pressure alert light indicates that unit should be checked by caregiver.
* The firmness is adjustable by selecting proper inflation
for every patient.
* 1 year warranty on pump
and mattress.
The Controller
Power: 110V / 60Hz
Air Volume: 8 LPM
Cycle Time: 9 min
The Mattress
Size (inflated): 80" L x 36" W x 5" H
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs.
=====
//This is not an advertisement//
This is what Medicare was willing to pay
for as upgrade to mom's 3 year old plain vanilla Invacare CareGuard AP mattress pad. Now I feel bad about your comment on LPM value. I notice that many of the LAL AP units (even more expensive than +/- $550) have similar LPM. In any event one good thing is that mom does NOT lie on her compromised
skin. We wanted something that would allow her to lie on her left side pretty much all the time with impunity. So far we're not seeing any problems on this MedTech 5000. Anybody that would like to critique this type of unit, your comments are welcomed. I'm still learning so much here. I will mention that we prefer to set the controller at the head of the
bed because mom does NOT lie in a hospital-style
bed. She prefers her king size
bed and it's more convenient to set up the mattress overlay opposite of how the picture in the manual shows. Medline indicated that this is not an issue. However - a word of warning. We discovered that the first three cells at the head region of mattress do not per
form AP but are static. Because of how mom lies on the mattress, her feet never reach those three static cells. Now that I think about it, the special cover that goes over the mattress overlay is on backwards
and we need to correct this right away - just in case. The feet markers need to be at the head of the
bed since the mattress overlay was put down feet end first at the head position. The manual suggests that we put a cotton sheet over this mattress overlay so patient doesn't come into contact with the special polyurethane laminated cover. I do not know how to evaluate the "LAL" feature of this mattress overlay. Anybody care to share a technique
for testing LAL? Thanks.
@SOMEBODY - Thanks
for yours. Your experience is encouraging to us.
Edited by Brad, 24 December 2007 - 04:59 PM.
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