Therapeutic mattresses in Ontario health facilities could pose danger, coroner says

Ontario’s chief coroner said therapeutic air mattresses used in hospitals and long-term care facilities can pose a danger to patients.

The mattresses inflate and deflate in a programmed sequence to prevent bed sores.

Dr. Andrew McCallum said the public should know that in rare cases, patients can become trapped between the mattresses and the bedrails or bed frame.

The coroner’s office launched an investigation after an elderly patient died in may 2009, after becoming wedged between the air mattress and the bed frame.

Hospitals and long-term care homes were given a series of recommendations to educate staff on the risks.

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