We assembled our expert team to assess the viability of all Frimley Healthcare NHS Trusts foam mattresses. Specific issues we were looking for were ‘bottoming out’ where the structural integrity of the mattresses has declined which negates any pressure area care and ‘strike through’ – where they have become stained over time resulting in possible infection risks.

About The Trust

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, a multi-site hospital trust located in Berkshire and Surrey, asked Renray Healthcare to conduct a comprehensive mattress audit to assess the condition of its static foam mattresses across various wards and sites. The Trust incorporates Frimley Park Hospital, Wexham Park Hospital, Heatherwood and a selection of community care hubs.

The audit uncovered a significant number of mattresses that were no longer fit for purpose, impacting patient comfort, infection control, and hospital operations. Following the audit, the hospital implemented a strategic mattress replacement plan, partnered with Renray Healthcare, and trained staff on enhanced mattress maintenance.

As a result, patient comfort improved, infection rates decreased, and operational costs were optimized, creating long-term value for the hospital

Challenges

Logistics were challenging ensuring that our fleet could offload new mattresses and upload old mattresses for recycling while in a fully operational set of hospitals that have innumerable deliveries every day.

We communicated to wards ahead of time that we would be auditing mattresses and nurses were very helpful in preparing for these visits. Any beds where it was not feasible to move a patient were advised to perform their own checks and swap mattresses from their newly replenished mattress stores when convenient.

It was recognised that a foam mattress audit would have significant potential to cause disruption to the routine running of wards and departments. Whilst every effort was made to keep this to a minimum, this audit recorded every staff or patient complaint relating to this process. Renray Healthcare were delighted to report that no complaints were received during the audit weekend or in the week following its completion.

Solutions

Thank you to you and your team for the great work over the week and it is good to have had the inspection and replacement done so well.

Senior Project Manager Frimley Healthcare

Infection Prevention and the reduction of cross-contamination has never been so important. The importance of this foam mattress audit was recognised and valued across the organisation and this work has gone a long way to ensure that they have safe and suitable products under their patients. While also ensuring that we have mattresses that are fit for purpose promotes comfort and skin integrity.

Throughout the week we managed to audit over 1700 beds and swap 500 mattresses which was an amazing result.

it was by all accounts a smooth operation and we are grateful

Lead Tissue Viability, Frimley Healthcare

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust mattress audit and subsequent improvements in mattress quality will have a profound impact on patient comfort, infection control, and operational efficiency. The hospital’s investment in new mattresses will improve patient outcomes but also generate significant cost savings. Other NHS hospitals can learn from this case by conducting their own mattress audits to enhance care, reduce costs, and improve staff and patient satisfaction.

About Corus 4000 – Corus 4000 is a pressure care reducing static foam mattress that works to mould and contour around the body, and help spread the user’s weight over a large area and relieve and reduce pressure over key areas that can be prone to pressure ulcers. With a 3-zone castellated foam top surface with firm base layer.