Skill development: pressure redistribution mattresses

In this phase, the trained health professional should identify the various skills that a person with spinal cord injury (SCI) may require before starting the assistive technology (AT) selection process. This is to ensure they can safely and meaningfully participate in trials and selection.

Skill development can take time, support and practice. Areas of skill development will vary depending on the individual’s goals and functional abilities. When attendant use is planned, the support network should receive appropriate training by the trained health professional, in collaboration with the product specialist.

Skills for safe and proficient pressure redistribution mattress use include:

• safely transferring onto and off the pressure redistribution mattress using appropriate techniques and/or equipment
• managing the environment to ensure safe use (adequate space, hoist access, appropriate rail / accessory use)
• maintaining safe and stable positioning on surfaces with varying immersion and envelopment
• adjusting posture to maintain alignment and minimise shear
• assisting with or performing prescribed repositioning regimes
• ensuring bedding and pillows are positioned safely without compromising pressure redistribution
• operating mattress controls (e.g., firmness, inflation modes, head/foot adjustments) where appropriate
• understanding and safe use of CPR mode or manual deflation features
• monitoring and responding appropriately to alarms, faults, or unusual pump behaviour
• understanding and complying with manufacturer safe weight limits
• completing basic troubleshooting and escalating concerns appropriately
• using mattress settings appropriately (e.g. temporary static mode, firmness adjustments) to enable functional activities such as dressing, grooming, and continence care, while maintaining pressure redistribution and minimising shear (with clear understanding of how and when to return the mattress to alternating mode, and risk-mitigation strategies if this is not automatic)