Flexible Therapy System™ Mattress

The new Flexible Therapy System™ (FTS) Mattress is suitable for the prevention and/or management of pressure ulcers, including superficial ulcers, when combined with an individualised, comprehensive pressure ulcer protocol.

Pressure ulcers are defined as “a localised injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear”¹. Whilst published prevalence and incidence rates vary according to care location and geography it is commonly reported to be higher in specific specialties such as elderly care, with the sacrum and heel the most commonly affected body locations^2-8.

Pressure ulcers can severely affect patient quality of life with patients reporting high levels
of pain⁸; loss of independence and reduced physical functioning. Pressure ulcers also place a burden on healthcare systems globally with the costs of managing pressure ulceration reported to be as high as $127,185 to treat a Category IV ulcer.¹⁰

In view of these factors healthcare professionals are challenged to develop and implement prevention protocols in line with evidence-based guidelines such as those developed by EPUAP and NPUAP¹. One element of which is the use of specialised support surfaces for patients at risk of pressure ulcers with special emphasis placed on the use of advanced foam surfaces.

The Flexible Therapy System has been developed to raise the standard in foam-based support surfaces for a wide range of patients by offering enhanced comfort combined with effective pressure redistribution¹¹.

Maximum patient comfort with optimal interface pressure redistribution¹¹

• To support early and effective pressure ulcer prevention programmes the Flexible Therapy System mattress has 4 zones aligned to the body’s anatomical structure.
• An upper layer of visco-elastic foam provides an enveloping reactive surface whilst the lower layer consists of 8 horizontal air filled cells to enhance patient support.
• Controlled release valve technology effectively displaces the air in response to patient movement or repositioning.

Safe and easy patient mobilisation or transfers

• Promoting safe mobility is a key element in both pressure ulcer prevention and patient rehabilitation. With this in mind the Flexible Therapy System mattress foam sides provide a stable platform to aid patient transfers.
• Castellations in the foam layer ensure the mattress adjusts well to a wide range of profiling bed frames to aid patient repositioning and mobilisation.

Support for the vulnerable heel

• Published data suggests that the heels are the second most common location for pressure ulcer occurrence^2-8. To support this vulnerable area a specially designed heel slope offers pressure redistribution.

Ease of use – simple, safe and effective care

• Developed with the caregiver in mind, additional features such as concealed zips, anti-slip base and reinforced handles mean the FTS mattress is simple to install and use, providing optimal performance.
• FTS mattress is a non powered system ensuring that patients receive optimal pressure redistribution at all times.
• A top cover manufactured from Dartex^® material delivers excellent performance in terms of envelopment, breathability, biocompatibility, and moisture vapour transfer.

References:

1. _{National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. Prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers: clinical practice guideline.
   Washington DC: National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. 2009}
   
2. _{Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Monitoring Project: Summary report on the Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers. EPUAP Review; Volume 4, Issue 2, 2002}
   
3. _{Results of nine international pressure ulcer surveys: 1989-2005. Ostomy Wound Management; 54(2). Vangilder C et al; 2008}
   
4. _{Prevalence of pressure ulcers in Canadian healthcare settings. Ostomy Wound Management. 50(10):22-38. Woodbury MG, Houghton PE; 2004}
   
5. _{Pressure ulcers: the case for improving prevention and management in Australian health care settings. Primary Intention. Prentice J L. et al. 9: 111-120; 2001}
   
6. _{A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study of Pressure Ulcer Prevalence in a Teaching Hospital in China. Zhao G, Ostomy Wound Manage. 56(2):38-42; 2010}
   
7. _{Factors affecting the healing of pressure ulcers in a Korean acute care hospital. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. Sung YH, Park KH. 38:38–45; 2011}
   
8. _{The limits of pressure sore prevention. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Hagisawa S et al .12; 92(11):576-8. 1999}
   
9. _{Pressure ulcer pain suffering; issues in a multi-centre pain prevalence. Nixon J et al. Oral presentation at EPUAP Annual Conference, Birmingham, UK; 2010}
   
10. _{High Cost of stage IV pressure ulcers. The American Journal of Surgery. Brem H et al. 200:473-477; 2010}
    
11. _{ArjoHuntleigh PAI data on file}