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By Tim Nowak for SA国际传媒 BrandFocus
Have you ever taken damp sheets out of your drier, snugly placed them on your bed, and then bundled-up for a good night鈥檚 sleep in them?
Accidentally, probably. Intentionally, likely not.
Why is this?
Because it鈥檚 uncomfortable.
Your ambulance cot (stretcher) linens 鈥� and mattress 鈥� are no different.
Considering all the gross decontamination, regular disinfecting, spot-cleaning and wet-wiping that we do in EMS, it鈥檚 only a matter of time that this will end up happening to you (and your patient).
Whether it鈥檚 a full-disinfecting regimen after a suspected COVID-positive patient transport or the gross decontamination (which involves more than just wiping off the fluids) after transporting a major trauma patient, there are simply times where your cot mattress just needs to take a break 鈥� if not for the purpose of completing a proper disinfecting cycle, then simply for the comfort of being fully dry when the next patient gets placed on it.
Our colleagues in the fire service are placing greater emphasis on supplying two sets of turnout gear for each firefighter so there鈥檚 always access to a clean set after one gets wet, soiled (by blood or other fluids) or contaminated by smoke and other combustion byproducts. But what about our own cots? We often rely on just the mattress that comes with it as a part of its initial purchase.
We try to tape, reseal or simply ignore the wear and tear or even obvious rips and holes compromising its integrity. Lack of budget for spare or replacement mattresses have led some agencies to ignore some of these signs of degradation, of a decrease in infection control and even a decrease in patient comfort.
One thing that COVID brought to light is that EMS providers can no longer ignore the problem and hope it goes away. It鈥檚 especially important that a ripped, torn, stained or otherwise damaged mattress be replaced right away, and not just for patient comfort and safety. The agency also risks costly fines for deficiencies in infection control 鈥� making 鈥渓ack of budget鈥� a short-sighted excuse, especially when an affordable alternative exists.
When wiping off your mattress simply isn鈥檛 enough
Yes, our cot mattresses are pretty durable. They鈥檙e made to accommodate varying body weights, maintain a protective layer away from its internal foam structure, and be flexible enough to bend along the creases of the back and legs (for Fowler鈥檚 and Trendelenburg positioning).
A little bit of this and that leaked onto an intact exterior doesn鈥檛 necessarily require a full decon and swap-out, but it certainly requires some due attention toward properly disinfecting your mattress鈥檚 surface.
Cleaning jobs that require, let鈥檚 say (anecdotally), more than three wipes in order to get a clean surface really should warrant a full mattress decon 鈥� which includes the following:
- Gross decon (hose and water wash off).
- Disinfection (including sprays and/or soaps with water and a necessary drying time, per disinfecting manufacturer).
- A final wash (with water) and wipe-down in order to provide for the cleanest of surfaces.
Think of it like a hazmat decon line: gross decon, technical decon and then wash, followed by a drying timeline. Additional ultraviolet light options may also find their place in this stage of the game, as you鈥檙e now trying to kill any remaining bacteria or viruses that made it past your scrub and wash phases.
Keeping to the 鈥渢hree wipes rule,鈥� your first wipe should remove any gross contents, like blood or emesis pools. The second should clear away the remainder, and the third should produce a clean wipe 鈥� assuring that all of the bad stuff has been removed. If your third wipe still has contents on it, then it鈥檚 time to progress toward a mattress swap and a full mattress decon.
Right mattress for the right price
Just as it鈥檚 important to follow the same cleaning process and guidelines for your cot鈥檚 seat belts (no one likes wet seat belts, either), it鈥檚 equally important to make sure that you鈥檙e using the right equipment whenever you make any form of an equipment swap.
But the cost of an original manufacturer鈥檚 replacement mattress can be a barrier. That鈥檚 why Medline has created a more affordable option that is compatible with many Stryker model cot mattresses. is made of a durable yet comfortable vinyl cover, designed to protect the inner mattress from natural wear and tear and extend its useful life.
Broken means it鈥檚 time to replace
Yes, duct tape will fix just about anything, but that doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 truly the right thing to use 鈥� especially in EMS, where infection control is a must. A good rule of thumb is that if you鈥檙e using tape of any kind to keep any EMS item secured, enclosed or combined (excluding bandaging), then you鈥檙e likely doing something wrong. There鈥檚 probably a better way of doing things, or at the very least, a cleaner way.
If this applies to your cot mattress, then the most correct answer is to simply replace the mattress altogether. Get rid of it and replace it with a new one 鈥� if not for the sake of maintaining a cleaner environment, then simply for the peace of mind in knowing that you鈥檙e providing a higher level of comfort for the patient.
Now that there is a more affordable option available, what鈥檚 your agency鈥檚 excuse for not having a replacement mattress in its cache of equipment?
Learn more about Medline鈥檚 .
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