Innovative mattress proves a hit in hospitals
01/07/2010
One Welsh inventor has come up with a revolutionary new design for hospital mattresses, which could save the NHS millions of pounds.
The so-called intelligent mattress costs 70p per day for each hospital bed and is said to alleviate pressure on the body, therefore reducing bed sores.
It alerts medical staff when a person has not moved for a period of time, giving them opportunity to treat the patient before pressure sores can develop.
Early estimates suggest the number of pressure ulcers in UK wards could be reduced by between 20 and 60 per cent.
The system has been developed by entrepreneur Frank Edwards, with support from the Welsh Assembly government and universities in the country.
It was recently revealed that a mattress had been sold for $44,000 (£30,000) by one US manufacturer.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
