EFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q00220

Hallo,

When we speak about sterilization of mattresses what means?

Alberto Franceschini

Dear,

I also don't know what sterilization of matresses means. I can't imagine it is a normal procedure in a hospital.

The Dutch WIP (www.wip.nl/wip_english.htm) guidelines say the following about matresses:

• The coating must be ventilating, waterproof and also cleanable and disinfectable.
• After use (and also after use for longer than 4 weeks by the same patient) of the bed, matress and cushion are totally cleaned and if necessary disinfected. If matresses are protected by synthetic, waterproof covers (see question Q00155), they can be cleaned and disinfected in an automatic bedwasher-disinfector if compatible. This means cover and matress can withstand a temperature of 85° C for a certain period of time. The cover of course has to be fully waterproof.
• The synthetic cover or the waterproof layer have to be controlled constantly to see if they still are intact. When the layer isn't waterproof anymore a new layer has to be brought on or the matress removed.

I hope this answer helps you further.

Best regards,
Wim Renders

Dear,

Can you have a look at guideline 23c, beds, from WIP? It clarifies a lot.

Best regards,
Wim Renders