TECHNICAL FIELD

The apparatus and methods disclosed herein relate to a barrier for a mattress and bed deck. More particularly, the apparatus and methods relate to a mattress and bed deck barrier for an adjustable bed that reduces the exposure of the mattress and bed deck to unsanitary conditions.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare mattresses have integrated covers that enclose the mattress components and are designed to protect the internal mattress components from staining, soiling, bodily fluids, and infectious microorganisms. Mattress covers must be cleaned and disinfected between each patient use to maintain a sanitary environment for the patient. Most integrated covers are inherently difficult to clean and disinfect. They may not be removable, or if so, are not designed for regular removal. Thus, they are intended for cleaning by manual wiping, which requires a substantial amount of time, effort, and consistency to achieve adequate disinfection. Many integrated covers have exposed woven fabric, which further diminishes the potential for effective disinfection. Zippers are usually used to attach integrated mattress covers and if the flap covering the zipper is displaced by bed linens, the zippers will permit bodily fluids to enter the mattress. These covers may also have sewn seams where each stitch hole is a location for bodily fluids to enter the mattress. Finally, integrated covers are prone to failure and fluid leakage due to use of strong chemicals required to achieve disinfection. Failures are difficult to detect before fluid leakage occurs and require time consuming inspection between each patient use. A barrier between the mattress and patient that eliminates all aforementioned issues and provides a highly disinfected and intact resting surface for the patient is desirable.

Mattresses are supported by bed decks. Bed decks come into contact with the same unsanitary conditions as mattresses. For example, waste produced by a patient may flow off the mattress or mattress barrier and accumulate on the supporting bed deck. Under current techniques, the mattress must be manually raised from the bed deck, the bed deck cleaned by hand using a germicidal solution, and the mattress replaced atop the bed deck which can be cumbersome and time consuming. However, hospital workers may neglect to clean the bed deck, or may not fully clean the entire surface of the bed deck. Furthermore, manual cleaning may not be sufficient to eliminate bacteria embedded in the bed deck or to kill fungal spores. Any remaining contamination may be passed from the bed deck to the mattress or bed sheets, from which the contaminants may contact a patient.

