Multiple types of beds and mattresses

Has anyone experienced a successful approach for helping nurses stay proficient with a wide variety of patient bed/mattress types?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Has anyone experienced a successful approach for helping nurses stay proficient with a wide variety of patient bed/mattress types?

That's such a good question, because most facilities have several types at one time. Say for example, they replace/upgrade the ICU beds, then the "old" ICU beds get placed on StepDown, and their "old" beds go to MedSurg.

Even in top hospitals, it's difficult to effectively orient all staff on each model.

As far as overlay or rental mattresses, typically the facility contracts with just one vendor. You can ask your educator for an inservice because it's part of the vendor's contract to provide inservices.

I just recently worked with HillRom to update their Support Surfaces continuing education modules, and I learned a lot about low air loss, and different surfaces. It hasn't been published yet, but there are CEs out there that are very helpful.

[chiandre]

The hospital should have a contract with the bed/mattress vendors for free in-services for the hospital staff -clincal and non-clinical. The onus is on the hospital to ensure 100% compliance with the training.

[Sadala, ADN, RN]

Not sure all of the vendors from the Eisenhower administration are still in business...