Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may become a break in the chain of rigorous environmental decontamination. Damaged mattress covers lose their original physical and chemical properties designed to prevent fluid penetration and microbial growth. A study at a U.S. hospital revealed that 26.9% of mattresses on adult medical surgical beds showed occult damage to the interior waterproof backing (Bradbury et al , 2014). In April 2013, the FDA issued a Safety Communication stating that damaged or worn covers for medical bed mattresses can allow blood and bodily fluids to penetrate the mattress, posing a risk of infection to patients.

Many mattresses and stretcher pads are repairable. CleanPatch is a registered FDA Class 1 Medical Device that restores damaged mattresses to an intact and hygienic state. CleanPatch can be used for punctures and tears up to 4” in size. It is important to note the size and amount of damage on the mattress surface when deciding whether to repair with CleanPatch or replace the mattress.

Assess

1. Clean the mattress as per hospital protocols and let dry completely.
2. Inspect the cover for any rips, tears, punctures or abrasions.

If Damage is noted:

1. Look for any signs of warping or staining which could indicate fluid ingress.
2. Confirm if any fluid has penetrated to inside foam by folding a Paper Towel into four layers and placing over the torn area.
3. Press down with gloved hand to see if any fluid is absorbed by the paper towel.
4. If the paper towel shows fluid, the foam core may be contaminated and the mattress should be immediately replaced.
5. If there is no fluid, proceed to repair.