Mattress Cradle - Side Gap Filler for Active and Static Mattresses
- Side Gap Filler for Active Air Mattresses - many alternating pressure air mattresses are narrower than the bed frame when inflated, creating a gap between the mattress edge and the bed side rails; the mattress cradle's raised side supports fill this lateral gap, preventing limbs from entering the space between the air mattress and the bed rail - one of the MHRA-identified entrapment zones in profiling bed configurations.
- Holds Mattress Centred and Stable - the cradle securely holds the mattress in the centred position within the bed frame, preventing lateral displacement of the air mattress that can occur during patient movement or during alternating pressure cycles; a laterally displaced air mattress increases the gap on one side, worsening the entrapment risk that the cradle is designed to prevent.
- Suitable for Static and Active Mattresses - the cradle accommodates both static foam mattresses and dynamic alternating pressure air mattresses within the same product; this versatility means the cradle can remain in place when a mattress is changed between static and dynamic specifications, reducing the need to reassess the bed setup with each mattress change.
- Profiling Bed Safety - suitable for use with profiling beds in care homes, hospitals, and homecare settings; CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should confirm the cradle as a component of the bed safety risk management plan where the mattress-to-rail gap has been identified as an entrapment risk in the bed rail risk assessment; MHRA guidance applies.
Mattress Cradle - Side Gap Filler - Active and Static Mattresses
The Mattress Cradle (NCL-CRD) provides raised side supports that fill the lateral gap between the mattress and bed side rails, holding the mattress centred and addressing the limb entrapment risk created when air mattresses are narrower than the bed frame. Suitable for static and dynamic air mattresses on profiling beds. MHRA entrapment zone management.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | NCL-CRD |
| Function | Raised side supports - fills mattress-to-rail gap |
| Compatibility | Static and alternating pressure air mattresses |
| Settings | Care homes; hospitals; homecare profiling beds |
Regulatory Compliance
MHRA guidance on bed rail safety identifies lateral gaps between the mattress and bed rail as entrapment risk zones; for residents using active air mattresses that are narrower than the bed frame when inflated, this gap can be significant. The mattress cradle directly addresses this zone. CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should include the cradle as a component of the bed safety risk management plan where lateral gap entrapment has been identified. The tissue viability nurse should also confirm that the cradle does not affect the air mattress inflation cycle or pressure redistribution performance, as some cradle designs may constrain lateral mattress expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do active air mattresses create a side gap when inflated?
Alternating pressure air mattresses are designed to fit within bed frames, but when their air cells inflate to their maximum pressure, the mattress width may not fully span the bed frame width. This can leave a gap of several centimetres between the inflated mattress edge and the bed side rail. The gap varies with the mattress specification, the bed frame width, and the inflation pressure setting; for heavier residents where higher inflation pressures are used, the gap may be more pronounced. The mattress cradle fills this residual gap, maintaining a safe lateral clearance regardless of the inflation state of the air system.
How does the cradle differ from the mattress side filler (NCL-MSF)?
The mattress cradle (NCL-CRD) is a single unit that holds the mattress centred within the bed frame using raised side supports along both sides simultaneously, providing a structural cradle around the mattress; it is primarily designed for use with active air mattresses where the mattress width varies with the inflation cycle. The mattress side filler (NCL-MSF) is a custom-sized foam filler that fills a static gap between the mattress edge and a specific rail or frame position on one side; it is more appropriate for fixed-width gap-filling requirements where a precise-fit custom filler is required rather than a bilateral structural cradle.
NCL-CRD
- Side Gap Filler for Active Air Mattresses - many alternating pressure air mattresses are narrower than the bed frame when inflated, creating a gap between the mattress edge and the bed side rails; the mattress cradle's raised side supports fill this lateral gap, preventing limbs from entering the space between the air mattress and the bed rail - one of the MHRA-identified entrapment zones in profiling bed configurations.
- Holds Mattress Centred and Stable - the cradle securely holds the mattress in the centred position within the bed frame, preventing lateral displacement of the air mattress that can occur during patient movement or during alternating pressure cycles; a laterally displaced air mattress increases the gap on one side, worsening the entrapment risk that the cradle is designed to prevent.
- Suitable for Static and Active Mattresses - the cradle accommodates both static foam mattresses and dynamic alternating pressure air mattresses within the same product; this versatility means the cradle can remain in place when a mattress is changed between static and dynamic specifications, reducing the need to reassess the bed setup with each mattress change.
- Profiling Bed Safety - suitable for use with profiling beds in care homes, hospitals, and homecare settings; CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should confirm the cradle as a component of the bed safety risk management plan where the mattress-to-rail gap has been identified as an entrapment risk in the bed rail risk assessment; MHRA guidance applies.