(402) Hospital Mattresses: A Hidden Danger to Patients

Many healthcare organizations do not follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use for the care and maintenance of hospital beds and mattresses, which leaves the mattress contaminated with bacteria, placing patients at risk. To prevent pressure injures, manufacturers changed the materials used to cover the mattress; however, this has led to problems with disinfecting these soft, porous surfaces. Participants will be able to describe the correct steps that should be taken when cleaning and disinfecting hospital mattresses and beds, which is a multistep process and not a single wipe and walk process. Participants will also be able to discuss the importance of routine inspection of mattresses and beds to identify damage, which is very common in most hospitals and puts patients at risk.