EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Pressure matresses and pumps. Cleaning / decontamination.

Please can anyone give some advice on the cleaning and decontamination of pressure mattresses and pumps.
Here at Heatherwood and Wexham Park we have just over 330 of varying makes and models, these also include many from 2 elderly care hospitals in the vicinity.
While the Trust has a policy for the standard hospital mattress there is no reference to the pressure type.
My concern is the lack of a proceedure and / or policy for decontamination / cleaning before arriving at the workshop for repair.
I believe that most will have been wiped over on the outside, but should they also be cleaned inside, ( after all we need to sometimes strip them in order to find leaky cells).
Has anyone been down this road, and arrived at a formal proceedure, if so I would appreciate a copy.

So would I !
A major part of our problem has gone because most of the pressure mattresses are supplied on contract, so when they've finished with one - or it needs repair - the ward just sticks it in a bag and the company collects it ! No fuss.
The cleaning and decontamination problem was one of the major reasons why we changed to this arrangement. The few pressure mattresses we have left are Huntleigh / Nesbit Evans which have a removable cover. This gets sent to the laundry and the inner cells given a quick wipe over before they send it to us for repair. It's not always very effective and they sometimes have a distinctive aroma - but leaving them outside in the rain works worders !

Thanks Roy,
Our engineer at Heatherwood, Nick, said the same about leaving them out in the rain as one of the wards over there did, unfortunatly they also left the pumps out!!!. Suprise , suprise.
I will wait a few more days to see if anyone else has any input, then I suppose I shall have to contact various people and try and get something formulated.

Hi All

We use a foam spray called "FIX" from STATE CHEMICALS" this (according tot he can) disinfects and de-odourises. We can vouch for the de-orourise.

This has been used on 'clean' mattresses where an odour is still present.

Me again

Sorry about the previous tipping or miss spillings.

Long day.

Michael

Wear do yuo get this "FIX" sprey from then, Micheal ? Have yoi got a tellofone number or an adres ?

Roy

The addris for State is sa fillops:-

State Industrial Products
1-4 Eaglegate
East Hill
Colchester
Essex
CO1 2PR

Tel. 01206 877900
Fax. 01206 796613

PS The cleaner leaves a hint of minty freshness

Tanks !

Dear All
We are the suppliers of "FIX" and will be happy to send any information you require. The product is an aerosol disinfectant/ cleaner/ deodorizer for daily use. It foams on to provide more thorough disinfection, breaks up soap scum, oil and gease, kills fungus, mould and mildew and the antibacterical formula leaves a fresh mint fragrance! Well enough of the sales pitch - please call 01206 877900 if you need any other info.
P.S. Why not give us a call to find out about the fantastic introductory offer available on our famous NI-712 Odour Eliminator? Works in under 4 seconds to ELIMINATE malodours not just mask them!

State also suplies a wide range of the following:
Specialist Odour Eliminator
Air Care
Drain Care
Personal Care
Heavy Duty Cleaners
Hard Surface Cleaners
Floor & Carpet Care

Oh Dear, Oh Dear,
We contacted State today to order some FIX to treat our mattresses, and they are in liquidation !!!!!!!!.

Sorry to hear that all you people at State, but does anyone know of another supplier?

So near yet so far, I could almost smell the minty freshness of matresses in the early morning, as the sun rises above the boiler house at the back of the Estates Department.