Comfort Cushion - Lightweight, Supportive Seating for Everyday Use.
- High-Specification Lightweight Foam - the FC172V uses a high-specification single-layer foam that provides comfort and basic pressure redistribution in a lightweight 43x43x5cm form factor; the reduced depth and weight compared to multi-layer clinical cushions makes this option appropriate for community and homecare use where residents require comfort support and preventive pressure care rather than high-risk pressure injury management, and where handling burden for care staff is a practical clinical consideration.
- VP Wipe-Clean Cover - the vapour-permeable wipe-clean cover supports skin microclimate management by allowing moisture vapour to escape from the skin contact surface; the wipe-clean finish meets NHS IPC decontamination requirements applicable to shared seating equipment, and the cover is compatible with alcohol-based cleaning agents used in care home and community settings subject to manufacturer guidance on approved cleaning products.
- Entry-Level Pressure Prevention - the FC172V is designed as an entry-level pressure care cushion for residents at low-to-moderate pressure risk, providing comfort and preventive pressure redistribution during seated periods without the clinical complexity or cost of a high-specification modular or viscoelastic device; clinical selection must follow occupational therapist assessment confirming the resident's Waterlow or Braden score is consistent with preventive rather than active pressure injury management.
- MDR 2017/745 Conformity - the FC172V is a Class I medical device under the Medical Devices Regulation 2017/745; equipment register documentation and conformity records must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 readiness; clinical review must be scheduled at regular intervals to confirm the cushion remains appropriate as the resident's pressure risk profile evolves, with escalation to a higher-specification device if risk score increases at reassessment.
Comfort Seating Cushion FC172V - Lightweight Entry-Level Pressure Care - 43x43x5cm
The FC172V comfort seating cushion is an entry-level pressure care device in a lightweight 43x43x5cm profile suitable for residents at low-to-moderate pressure risk. The high-specification single-layer foam provides comfort and basic pressure redistribution in a format that minimises handling weight for care staff and maintains standard seat-to-floor height in most chair configurations. The vapour-permeable wipe-clean cover supports skin microclimate management and NHS IPC decontamination compliance. Selected following occupational therapist assessment confirming preventive rather than active pressure injury management is indicated per NICE CG179.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 43 x 43 x 5cm |
| Foam Type | High-specification single-layer foam |
| Cover Type | VP wipe-clean |
| Reference | NCL-FC172V |
| Classification | Entry-level pressure prevention |
| Regulatory Status | MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device |
| Clinical Standard | NICE CG179 (pressure redistribution) |
Regulatory Compliance
The FC172V is compliant with Medical Devices Regulation 2017/745 as a Class I medical device. Clinical selection must follow occupational therapist assessment confirming low-to-moderate pressure risk per Waterlow or Braden scoring, with NICE CG179 used to determine whether preventive or active pressure injury management is indicated. If the resident's risk score increases following reassessment, the prescribing clinician must escalate the seating prescription to a higher-specification cushion from the Maximise Contour, Visco, or Twist range. The wipe-clean VP cover supports NHS IPC decontamination protocols. Equipment register records and MDR conformity documentation must be retained for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the clinical difference between the FC172V and the Maximise Contour range, and when should each be prescribed?
The FC172V is a single-layer comfort cushion designed for residents at low-to-moderate pressure risk where the primary clinical goal is comfort and preventive pressure redistribution. The Maximise Contour range uses a deeper 10cm modular foam construction with a more sophisticated foam specification that provides greater pressure redistribution capacity per unit area, making it appropriate for residents at moderate-to-high pressure risk or for those with a history of pressure injury at the seated sites. Clinically, the decision point is the occupational therapist's NICE CG179 assessment: a resident with a low Waterlow score who is mobile, transfers frequently, and spends limited time in the chair is appropriately supported by the FC172V; a resident with a higher Waterlow score, limited mobility, or significant time in the chair requires the deeper redistribution profile of the Maximise range. The FC172V must not be used as the primary pressure device for residents already managing a pressure injury or assessed as high risk.
Does the 5cm depth of the FC172V significantly affect seat-to-floor height in a wheelchair or chair?
Yes, and this is an important clinical consideration in cushion selection. Adding any cushion to a standard chair or wheelchair seat raises the effective seat height by the depth of the cushion. For a wheelchair user, a 5cm cushion raises the seat height by 5cm, which requires corresponding adjustment of footrests to maintain correct seated posture, pelvic position, and foot support. The occupational therapist must adjust footrest height following cushion prescription to maintain correct seating geometry. The 5cm depth of the FC172V has a smaller effect on seating geometry than the 10cm Maximise range, which may make it preferable in cases where seat height adjustment is constrained by other clinical factors such as transfer height or table access.
NCL-FC172V
- High-Specification Lightweight Foam - the FC172V uses a high-specification single-layer foam that provides comfort and basic pressure redistribution in a lightweight 43x43x5cm form factor; the reduced depth and weight compared to multi-layer clinical cushions makes this option appropriate for community and homecare use where residents require comfort support and preventive pressure care rather than high-risk pressure injury management, and where handling burden for care staff is a practical clinical consideration.
- VP Wipe-Clean Cover - the vapour-permeable wipe-clean cover supports skin microclimate management by allowing moisture vapour to escape from the skin contact surface; the wipe-clean finish meets NHS IPC decontamination requirements applicable to shared seating equipment, and the cover is compatible with alcohol-based cleaning agents used in care home and community settings subject to manufacturer guidance on approved cleaning products.
- Entry-Level Pressure Prevention - the FC172V is designed as an entry-level pressure care cushion for residents at low-to-moderate pressure risk, providing comfort and preventive pressure redistribution during seated periods without the clinical complexity or cost of a high-specification modular or viscoelastic device; clinical selection must follow occupational therapist assessment confirming the resident's Waterlow or Braden score is consistent with preventive rather than active pressure injury management.
- MDR 2017/745 Conformity - the FC172V is a Class I medical device under the Medical Devices Regulation 2017/745; equipment register documentation and conformity records must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 readiness; clinical review must be scheduled at regular intervals to confirm the cushion remains appropriate as the resident's pressure risk profile evolves, with escalation to a higher-specification device if risk score increases at reassessment.