Could Your Damaged Mattress Covers Lead to Infection?

On April 19, the FDA released a Safety Alert to warn healthcare professionals about the risk of contamination and infection associated with damaged or worn mattress covers. The agency noted that it is concerned that this risk is both widespread and under-recognized.

According to the alert, the FDA received 458 reports between January 2011 and January 2013 of medical bed mattress covers failing to prevent blood and other body fluids from leaking into mattresses. This leakage can occur when mattress covers become worn or damaged by incorrect cleaning, disinfecting and laundering. Zippers on mattress covers can also allow fluid to penetrate mattresses.

Some of the reports that the FDA received indicated that if a mattress becomes contaminated by the body fluids of one resident, those fluids can later leak out when another resident is placed on the mattress, putting that resident at risk for infection.

The FDA recommends performing the following mattress inspections and maintenance:

•  Regularly check each medical bed mattress for any visible signs of damage or wear, such as cuts, tears, cracks, pinholes, snags or stains.
•  Routinely remove the medical bed mattress and check its inside surface. Once the mattress cover is removed, inspect the mattress for wet spots, stains or signs of damage or wear. Check all sides and the bottom of the mattress as well.
• Immediately replace any medical bed mattress cover with visible signs of damage or wear to reduce the risk of infection.
• Do not stick needles into a medical bed mattress through the mattress cover.

To read the Safety Alert in its entirety, click here.

If you discover that any of the mattresses in your facility need to be replaced, please reach out to your ProMed territory manager. We have a complete line of support surfaces to meet all of your residents’ needs. You can also connect with us by calling (800) 648-5190.