Safety Bed Wedges - Comfortable Positioning Support for Secure Bedside Care.
- Sloped Foam Wedges for Anti-Roll Lateral Positioning - the Safety Bed Wedges are placed alongside the resident's body to provide a firm sloped surface that prevents lateral rolling toward the bed edge during sleep; the wedge profile supports the resident's position at the prescribed lateral angle without requiring the resident to actively maintain the position or requiring carer intervention at every repositioning interval; this passive positioning support can reduce the frequency of manual repositioning turns required overnight where the clinical goal is to maintain a specific lateral tilt rather than to alternate position.
- Waterproof VP Cover with Non-Slip Base Sheet - the vapour-permeable waterproof cover on each wedge maintains skin microclimate management at the contact surface while preventing fluid ingress into the foam; the non-slip base sheet (NCL-HCS096B, sold separately) connects the individual wedge to the bed surface using hook-and-loop fastenings, preventing the wedge from sliding when the resident moves against it during the night; the base sheet also links two wedges together across the full 900mm bed width (complete system: 900 x 900 x 200mm), providing support on both lateral sides simultaneously.
- Washing Instructions - 80 Degrees Main Wash - No Alcohol Cleaners - before laundering, the foam insert must be removed from the cover; pre-wash cold for 10 minutes; main wash at 80 degrees for 10 minutes; follow with cold rinses and extraction; tumble dry on low heat; do not iron; alcohol-based cleaning agents (including Dettol, Phenicol, Clearsol) must not be used on the cover or foam, as alcohol degrades PU foam and cover materials; this restriction must be communicated to all care staff responsible for bed accessory cleaning.
- Two Configuration Options - Single and Full-Width System - NCL-HCS096 (900 x 290 x 200mm) provides a single wedge unit for one-sided positioning support; NCL-HCS096 with NCL-HCS096B base sheet creates a full-width 900 x 900mm two-wedge positioning system for bilateral lateral support; the clinical indication determines whether one-sided or bilateral support is required; the system must be included in the MHRA bed safety assessment as a positioning device and documented in the resident's care plan with the clinical rationale and positioning schedule.
Safety Bed Wedges - Anti-Roll Lateral Positioning - VP Waterproof Cover - Base Sheet Available
The Safety Bed Wedges provide passive anti-roll lateral positioning support by placing firm sloped foam alongside the resident's body during sleep. The vapour-permeable waterproof cover maintains skin microclimate and prevents fluid ingress. The non-slip base sheet (NCL-HCS096B, sold separately) connects the wedge to the bed surface and allows two wedges to create a full 900 x 900mm bilateral positioning system. Single wedge: 900 x 290 x 200mm. Covers machine washable at 80 degrees; no alcohol-based cleaning agents. MHRA bed safety assessment documentation required.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| NCL-HCS096 | Single safety bed wedge - 900 x 290 x 200mm |
| NCL-HCS096B | Base sheet with hook-and-loop fastenings (sold separately) |
| Full System Dimensions | 900 x 900 x 200mm (two wedges with base sheet) |
| Cover | VP waterproof |
| Base Fixing | Non-slip base sheet with hook-and-loop - prevents sliding |
| Wash Guidance | Remove foam first; pre-wash cold 10 min; main wash 80 degrees 10 min; tumble dry low; no iron; no alcohol cleaners |
| Compliance | MHRA bed safety assessment; positioned as clinical device in care plan |
Regulatory Compliance
The Safety Bed Wedges function as clinical positioning devices and must be documented in the resident's care plan with the clinical rationale for their use, the prescribed position, and the monitoring schedule. MHRA bed safety assessment must include the wedges as positioning equipment; any change to the wedge configuration may affect the effective sleeping surface area and the relationship between the resident's position and the bed rails, which must be assessed before deployment. The prohibition on alcohol-based cleaning agents must be documented in staff training for bed accessory maintenance. Equipment register records must include the wedge specification for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the clinical difference between using bed wedges and using bed rails for lateral positioning support?
Bed rails prevent the resident from exiting the bed at the rail side and provide a physical barrier against rolling out, but they are a form of physical restraint under MHRA guidance and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 when used without the resident's informed consent. Safety bed wedges provide passive lateral positioning support - they hold the resident at the prescribed tilt during sleep - but they do not prevent the resident from moving off the wedge voluntarily; a resident who wants to change their position or exit the bed can do so by moving away from the wedge surface. This distinction is clinically and ethically significant: wedges provide positioning assistance without the restraint element of rails, making them appropriate for residents where the clinical need is positioning rather than containment. However, wedges do not address the fall risk of rolling out of bed as effectively as rails; a resident who rolls against a wedge with sufficient force or who shifts position incrementally may eventually pass the wedge. The prescribing clinician must assess whether the clinical need is positioning (where wedges may be sufficient) or containment (where rails may be clinically indicated) and document the rationale accordingly.
Why are alcohol-based cleaning agents specifically prohibited for the wedge covers and foam?
Alcohol-based cleaning agents - including common care-setting disinfectants such as Dettol, Phenicol, and Clearsol - cause progressive degradation of polyurethane (PU) foam and the PU cover material used on the wedge. The mechanism is chemical breakdown of the polymer chains in the PU structure by the alcohol solvent, which causes the foam to become brittle, crumble, and lose its structural integrity, and causes the cover material to crack, delaminate, or lose its waterproof properties. This degradation may not be immediately visible after a single application but accumulates over repeated cleanings, progressively reducing the foam's anti-roll positioning performance and the cover's fluid-resistant protection. NHS IPC disinfection requirements can be met using the 80-degree hot wash cycle, which achieves thermal disinfection without chemical damage; alcohol-free disinfectant wipes or sprays approved for PU materials may also be used for surface decontamination between washes if confirmed compatible with the cover material by the manufacturer. The restriction on alcohol cleaners must be explicitly included in staff training for bed accessory cleaning and in the written cleaning instructions displayed with the equipment.
NCL-HCS096
Viewed products
- Sloped Foam Wedges for Anti-Roll Lateral Positioning - the Safety Bed Wedges are placed alongside the resident's body to provide a firm sloped surface that prevents lateral rolling toward the bed edge during sleep; the wedge profile supports the resident's position at the prescribed lateral angle without requiring the resident to actively maintain the position or requiring carer intervention at every repositioning interval; this passive positioning support can reduce the frequency of manual repositioning turns required overnight where the clinical goal is to maintain a specific lateral tilt rather than to alternate position.
- Waterproof VP Cover with Non-Slip Base Sheet - the vapour-permeable waterproof cover on each wedge maintains skin microclimate management at the contact surface while preventing fluid ingress into the foam; the non-slip base sheet (NCL-HCS096B, sold separately) connects the individual wedge to the bed surface using hook-and-loop fastenings, preventing the wedge from sliding when the resident moves against it during the night; the base sheet also links two wedges together across the full 900mm bed width (complete system: 900 x 900 x 200mm), providing support on both lateral sides simultaneously.
- Washing Instructions - 80 Degrees Main Wash - No Alcohol Cleaners - before laundering, the foam insert must be removed from the cover; pre-wash cold for 10 minutes; main wash at 80 degrees for 10 minutes; follow with cold rinses and extraction; tumble dry on low heat; do not iron; alcohol-based cleaning agents (including Dettol, Phenicol, Clearsol) must not be used on the cover or foam, as alcohol degrades PU foam and cover materials; this restriction must be communicated to all care staff responsible for bed accessory cleaning.
- Two Configuration Options - Single and Full-Width System - NCL-HCS096 (900 x 290 x 200mm) provides a single wedge unit for one-sided positioning support; NCL-HCS096 with NCL-HCS096B base sheet creates a full-width 900 x 900mm two-wedge positioning system for bilateral lateral support; the clinical indication determines whether one-sided or bilateral support is required; the system must be included in the MHRA bed safety assessment as a positioning device and documented in the resident's care plan with the clinical rationale and positioning schedule.