5
Joerns Support Surface
DermaFloat LR Model
© 2015 Joerns Healthcare • 6110064 RevB • 15-2003
Shear and Friction Reduction
Shearing occurs when the skin is stationary in relation
to the support surface, while the underlying tissues
and vessels are stretched and damaged. When a
resident’s skin rubs against another surface, the result
is friction. The top surface of the DermaFloat LR
therapy pad is constructed from a very smooth nylon
fabric with low friction and low shear properties to
protect the resident’s skin from these damaging forces.
Indications for Use
Note:
The selection of a pressure-relieving surface
needs to be based on each individual resident’s clinical
condition, diagnosis and/or co-morbidities. The choice
and use of a support surface is one factor in a holistic
program of wound care
and treatment.
Spinal Cord Injury
The DermaFloat LR is not recommended for use by
residents with unstable spinal fractures. Advice should
be obtained from the appropriate physician before
using the DermaFloat LR system for these residents.
Pressure Relief
Pressure
Ulcers
Rehabilitation
Respiratory Conditions
Neurology
Dermatology
Burns
Amputations
Pain Management
AIDS
Arthritis
Oncology
The DermaFloat
®
LR provides distribution of weight
over a wide surface area, which relieves pressure
against bony prominences and provides a soft, gentle
therapy surface to lie on. For residents experiencing
severe pain and discomfort due to pressure and/or
positioning limitations, consider the DermaFloat LR as
an adjunct to pain management interventions.
Note:
Pressure relief and pain management are
conditions and diagnoses for which the DermaFloat LR
may be indicated. Occasionally, there are orthopedic
and neurological residents that require body
positioning to be maintained in specific alignment. The
use of the DermaFloat LR for these residents should
be considered on an individual basis and discussed
with the attending physician.
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5
Introduction
The DermaFloat
®
LR, provided by Joerns Healthcare,
is a unique, continuous bilateral rotation mattress
replacement system. This system is designed to
assist in the effective management of residents at risk
from the complications of immobility while providing
low air loss therapy. Low air loss therapy has been
demonstrated to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers
as well as being a valuable aid in the treatment of
pressure ulcers.
Warning:
The risk of entrapment can arise when
equipment is placed on bed frames that leave gaps
of even a few inches between the mattress and the
headboard, footboard, and bed or side rails. The
equipment is NOT to be used when such gaps are
present. See “Important Precautions” section of
this manual.
The DermaFloat LR mattress replacement system is
suitable for both the treatment of existing pressure
ulcers stage I through stage IV as well as those who
have been assessed at risk from the complications of
immobility. The DermaFloat LR is quiet, comfortable
and simple enough for single caregiver installation,
featuring rapid inflation in just 15 minutes or less. The
user-friendly controls allow for easy adjustment of
resident comfort.
Additionally, low friction and low shear materials,
together with average interface pressures well below
capillary closure levels, means that the DermaFloat LR
meets the comfort and clinical requirements of your
residents up to 350 lbs.
We have ensured that the DermaFloat LR addresses
the four key areas in the treatment of compromised
skin: pressure relief, moisture control, and reduction in
both friction and shearing forces.
Moisture Control
Residents are at risk for skin maceration if excess
moisture is permitted to accumulate beneath the
resident. This may be due to perspiration, incontinence
or wound drainage.
On the DermaFloat LR, moisture is controlled via the
specially treated breathable, fluid-proof, urethane
coated nylon therapy pad. The moisture vapor
permeable fabric of the therapy pad allows a sufficient
amount of air to circulate beneath the pad and wicks
away excess moisture.
