Blogs & Articles

The Simple Solution to a Thousand-Pound Problem: Introducing The Halo™

The Hidden Cost of Care: Why Room Damage is Draining Your Budget

If you manage a care home, you know the daily struggle: beds are constantly on the move, and accidents happen. What seems like a minor knock from a castor, against a skirting board, a wall, or worse, an electrical socket, quickly becomes a major headache.

This isn’t just about wear and tear; it’s a critical financial and operational drain. Those small scuffs and impacts add up, creating a significant and often unpredictable burden on your care home maintenance budget.

At Harvest, we recognise that bed-related damage is one of the most persistent and costly issues in the sector. It’s time to stop paying thousands on repairs and lost revenue.

The Problem: Repair Bills and Decommissioned Rooms

For facilities striving for high occupancy and quality standards, the financial fallout of accidental bed impact is twofold:

1. Soaring Repair Costs: The replacement of scuffed skirting boards, dented walls, or cracked fixtures consumes a large portion of your maintenance budget. Worse still, damaged electrical sockets pose an immediate safety risk, requiring urgent and expensive remediation.
2. Lost Revenue from Decommissioned Rooms: When severe damage occurs, particularly to electrical sockets or fixtures, the room must be decommissioned immediately. Every day that the room is offline for repair represents lost potential revenue. Solving this problem quickly is not just about saving money on a repair bill; it’s about protecting your bottom line.

The Ingenious Answer: Introducing The Halo™

The Halo™ is our response to this persistent industry challenge. This innovative accessory is the smart, simple, and safe solution to bed-related asset protection.

The genius of The Halo™ lies in its simplicity. It’s a discreet, robust ring designed to fit beds with outboard castors measuring 50mm to 100mm. It works as a non-intrusive barrier, instantly shielding your assets from accidental collisions.

The Halo™ Key Benefits for Care Home Operators

Benefit	Impact
Dramatically Reduces Repair Costs	Shields walls, sockets, fixtures, and the bed frame itself from impact, ensuring your maintenance budget goes further.
Safeguards Revenue	Prevents damage that leads to room decommissioning, keeping your potential revenue safe and your rooms profitable.
Simple, Tool-Free Installation	The “click-on” design means any member of your team can install it in seconds, saving valuable time and labour costs.
Visually Discreet Design	Unlike bulky, unattractive solutions, The Halo™ is non-intrusive, helping you maintain the clean, homely aesthetic of your rooms.
Operational Efficiency	Fully compatible with most beds and castors, allowing for normal bed movement and profiling without interference.

The Halo™ ensures your bed protection strategy is cost-effective, discreet, and highly efficient. It’s an intelligent way to manage your asset protection and ensure your focus remains where it should be, on delivering outstanding care.

Protect Your Assets Today

Stop letting accidental knocks chip away at your profits and room availability. Discover why The Halo™ is the ultimate choice for simple, smart, and safe care home asset protection.

Download the Halo™ Leaflet here.

View the Halo™ product page here.

Choosing the Right Pressure Care Solution: Static Mattresses

Pressure ulcers, often known as bedsores, remain a significant concern for individuals with limited mobility or those who spend extended periods in bed. These painful wounds develop when prolonged pressure on the skin restricts blood flow, leading to tissue damage. Selecting the correct pressure care solution is crucial for both preventing new ulcers and managing existing ones. While active mattresses offer dynamic support, static mattresses play a vital role in a comprehensive pressure care strategy.

What is a Static Mattress?

A static mattress is a non-powered pressure redistribution mattress designed to conform to the user’s body shape. Unlike active mattresses that use alternating air cells, static mattresses rely on advanced foam technologies and construction to achieve pressure relief. They work by:

• Immersion: Allowing the body to sink into the mattress, increasing the contact area.
• Envelopment: Conforming closely to the body’s contours, distributing pressure more evenly.

This combination helps to reduce peak pressure points, improve blood flow, and minimise shear and friction forces, all of which are critical in preventing tissue damage.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Static Mattress:

Selecting the right static mattress involves a careful assessment of several factors to ensure optimal comfort and clinical effectiveness:

• Risk Level: The user’s risk level for developing pressure ulcers is paramount. This is typically assessed using a validated risk assessment tool, such as the Waterlow or Braden scale. Static mattresses are generally suitable for individuals at low to very high risk, depending on their specific design and materials.
• User Needs: Consider the individual’s weight, height, mobility, and any existing medical conditions. A mattress must be able to support the user’s weight effectively without bottoming out.

Mattress Features:

• Material Composition: Look for high-quality foams (e.g., viscoelastic, high-resilience) that offer excellent pressure redistribution properties.
• Zoning: Some mattresses feature different foam densities or cuts in specific areas to provide targeted pressure relief for vulnerable body parts.
• Cover Properties: A multi-stretch, vapour-permeable, and water-resistant cover is essential for skin integrity, hygiene, and durability.
• Stability: Ensure the mattress provides good stability for patient transfers and repositioning.
• Profiling Compatibility: The mattress must be compatible with profiling beds to ensure it articulates correctly without compromising its pressure-relieving properties.

Recommended Static Mattresses from Harvest:

Harvest offers a range of high-quality static mattresses, each designed to meet diverse pressure care needs and provide exceptional comfort:

Visco MultiZone Mattress: Our enhanced static mattress, the Visco MultiZone, features specialist foam “zones” strategically positioned across key areas of the mattress. This varying firmness allows for greater immersion and envelopment around the most vulnerable parts of the body, leading to superior pressure redistribution. It provides additional support where needed most, often reducing the need for dynamic mattresses. Proudly made in the UK and assembled by Harvest, it’s lighter than previous models and includes complete corners to minimise entrapment risks.

Discover the Visco MultiZone Mattress here

Prime Comfort Plus Static Mattress: The Prime Comfort Plus is an excellent static mattress known for providing great patient comfort and excellent pressure redistribution. Its clever side wall construction encases the foam, enhancing stability for the patient and assisting in transfers. A castellated foam top allows excess heat to escape, preventing overheating. Keyhole slots in the high-density base aid profiling, ensuring seamless integration with profiling beds.

Explore the Prime Comfort Plus Static Mattress here

Community Plus Static Mattress: The Community Plus Static Mattress is a highly versatile and cost-effective solution, suitable for patients at medium to high risk of developing pressure ulcers. Built with high-resilience CMHR foam, it offers excellent pressure distribution and comfort. Supplied with a four-way stretch, vapour-permeable, water-resistant PU cover, it’s designed for durability and easy cleaning. Its ability to be turned extends its service life, providing long-term value.

Learn more about the Community Plus Static Mattress here

Why Choose Harvest?

When you choose Harvest, you’re partnering with a provider committed to excellence in pressure care:

• Reliable and Durable Products: Our mattresses are built to last, providing consistent performance and peace of mind.
• Comprehensive Warranty: All our static mattresses come with a robust warranty for added reassurance.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: We offer a range of pressure care solutions designed to fit various budgets without compromising on quality.
• Servicing and Repair: Our dedicated service team provides prompt and reliable support, ensuring your mattresses remain in optimal condition.
• Mattress Management Programme: Our comprehensive programme offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to mattress replacement, with repair, cleaning, and decontamination services.
• Training and Support: We provide comprehensive training and support to ensure your staff can effectively use and maintain our pressure care solutions.

Choosing the right static mattress is a critical decision for a user’s well-being and overall care quality. Contact Harvest today to discuss your pressure care needs and find the best solution for your users.

Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are a serious concern for individuals with limited mobility. These painful wounds develop when prolonged pressure on the skin restricts blood flow, leading to tissue damage. Choosing the right pressure care solution is crucial for preventing and managing pressure ulcers, and active mattresses are a key tool in this effort.

What is an Active Mattress?

An active mattress is a powered pressure redistribution mattress that uses air cells to constantly change pressure points on the body. This dynamic movement helps to improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of pressure ulcer development.

Key Considerations When Choosing an Active Mattress:

• Risk Level: The user’s risk level for developing pressure ulcers is the most important factor in selecting an appropriate mattress. This is typically assessed using a validated risk assessment tool like Purpose T.
• User Needs: Consider the individual’s weight, height, mobility, and any existing medical conditions.
• Mattress Features: Look for features such as:
• • Alternating Therapy: Provides cyclical pressure relief by inflating and deflating alternating cells.
  • Constant Low Pressure: Offers a static, low-pressure surface for additional support.
  • Max Inflate: Temporarily increases cell pressure for nursing procedures or user repositioning.
  • Seated Mode: Provides support when the backrest is elevated.
  • Comfort Control: Allows for personalised pressure adjustments.
• Pump Features:
  • Ease of use: Intuitive controls and clear displays for simple operation.
  • Reliability: Durable and dependable performance to ensure consistent pressure relief.
  • Safety features: Alarms and auto-return functions to enhance user safety.
• Warranty and Servicing: A comprehensive warranty and reliable servicing options are crucial for long-term peace of mind.

Recommended Active Mattresses from Harvest Healthcare:

Harvest Healthcare offers a range of high-quality active mattresses designed to meet diverse needs:

• Balmoral II: Ideal for very high-risk users, the Balmoral II features 27 PU cells (23 active, 4 static pillow) on a 50mm foam base. Its narrower cells and versatile pump modes (Alternating, Constant Low Pressure, Max Inflate, Seated) ensure optimal pressure redistribution and comfort.
• Balmoral Plus: Designed for very high-risk users, the Balmoral Plus offers enhanced pressure relief with 27 PU cells (23 active, 4 static) on a 50mm air base. Its versatile pump functions and durable construction make it suitable for demanding care environments.
• Hampton II: Suitable for high-risk users, the Hampton II features 20 PU cells (17 active, 3 static) on a cell-on-cell base. Its compact digital pump offers essential pressure care modes, making it a cost-effective solution for various care settings.

Why Choose Harvest Healthcare?

• Reliable and Durable Products: Our mattresses are built to last, providing consistent performance and peace of mind.
• Comprehensive Warranty: All our active mattresses come with a 3-year warranty for added reassurance.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: We offer a range of pressure care solutions to fit various budgets.
• Servicing and Repair: Our dedicated service team provides prompt and reliable support, ensuring your mattresses remain in optimal condition.
• Mattress Management Programme: Our comprehensive programme offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to mattress replacement, with repair, cleaning, and decontamination services.
• Training and Support: We provide comprehensive training and support to ensure your staff can effectively use and maintain our pressure care solutions.

Choosing the right active mattress is crucial to the user’s well-being. Contact Harvest Healthcare today to discuss your pressure care needs and find the best solution for your users.

In 2016, around 13% of adults worldwide were affected by obesity, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), characterising an abnormal excess of body fat posing health risks. Epidemiological studies indicate a steady rise in obesity prevalence in recent decades, reaching epidemic levels (Großschädl & Stronegger, 2019; NCD-RisC, 2017), with projections indicating a continued increase (Thomas et al., 2014).

The prevalence of obesity among residents in nursing homes is also on the rise, potentially impacting required nursing care, facility provisions, and morbidity rates. A US study revealed a significant increase in obesity prevalence among newly admitted nursing home residents, rising from 16.9% to 25.8% over ten years (Cai, Rahman et al., 2013). Additionally, residents with moderate or severe obesity had a 15.0% higher likelihood of developing pressure ulcers compared to non-obese residents in the same facility, highlighting associated health risks.

Increased body mass often leads to reduced mobility, complicating care tasks such as repositioning and increasing the risk of secondary health issues, all contributing to pressure ulcer development risk factors.

Ensuring accessible care for all is paramount, particularly in private and non-purpose-built nursing homes. Considering these statistics, it’s evident that plus-sized patients require specialised care with the appropriate equipment. However, this presents its own challenges for both care homes and community equipment providers.

Sourcing the required equipment can be challenging. This leads to many care providers lacking the necessary equipment to support bariatric individuals, especially in larger quantities. This impacts timely care delivery, care home admissions, and patient discharge from hospitals.

Residences may also face infrastructure limitations hindering care for plus sized individuals further complicating care provision. Acute care environments recommend spacious rooms for plus sized patients, posing a further challenge for many long-term care settings (Muir, 2009).

At Prism Healthcare Group, we are dedicated to easing the burden of sourcing and fitting bariatric equipment, allowing caregivers to concentrate on delivering high-quality care. Our Prism Plus line features an extensive range of bariatric products designed to streamline selection, backed by knowledgeable customer service and sales teams ready to address any challenges.

Our products are designed to enhance the quality of life for residents and caregivers, ensuring equitable access to care and support.

For more information on Prism Plus products, please visit the Prism Healthcare website.

 

References

Großschädl, F., Schoberer, D., Eglseer, D., Lohrmann, C., Everink, I., Gordon, A. L., Schols, J. M. G. A., & Bauer, S. (2023). Obesity and its associated factors in older nursing home residents in three European countries—Secondary data analyses from the “International Prevalence Measurement of Care Quality”. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 18, e12530.

Cai, S., M. Rahman and O. Intrator (2013). “Obesity and pressure ulcers among nursing home residents.” Medical care 51(6): 478-486.

Muir, M. (2009) “Space Planning for the Bariatric Patient.” Bariatric Times.

 

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