New Beds, Mattresses for Patient Safety, Comfort in BRMC's CCU, OB/GYN Units

By George Nianiatus, senior writer/media manager
Marketing and Communications Department
Upper Allegheny Health System

State-of-the-art beds which enhance patient safety and comfort have arrived in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) and the Obstetrics/Gynecology Unit (OB/GYN) at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

The hospital also has added new pressure-relieving patient mattresses for the Medical/Surgical Unit and acquired six stretchers for the Emergency Department.

“These new beds and mattresses will enhance the safety and comfort of our patients,” said Deborah Price, Bradford Regional’s Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “Technology has changed dramatically over the years and these new products will ensure BRMC keeps pace with national best patient care practices. These acquisitions will also help our staff do their jobs more effectively.”

The five CCU beds, made by Hill-Rom Co., provide the ability to maintain protocol compliance to help prevent Ventilator Associated Pneumonia.

“These Total Care Connect Beds are designed to ensure critically ill patients are safe and comfortable. At the same time, they allow the nurses to provide the specialized care needed by critically ill patients,” said Becky Tyler, RN, MSN, CCRN, nurse manager for the CCU.

“The beds have a built-in scale for weighing patients. Also, they have a special panel that allows procedures, normally performed in the Radiology Department, to be performed at the bedside,” Ms. Tyler said.

The CCU beds include pressure-relieving mattresses which are designed to prevent and treat pressure ulcers, she said.

Another feature of the CCU beds is the ability to adjust into a chair-like position, allowing patients to stand more easily, Ms. Tyler added.

“They are a great addition to our CCU and we’re very excited to have them,” Ms. Tyler said.

The two new birthing beds for OB/GYN are also specially designed for ease and safety.

“Our two new Hill-Rom Affinity Birthing Beds have Tempur-Pedic mattresses for optimal patient comfort. These beds allow the laboring patients to assume different positions for maximum comfort,” said Paula Platko, RN, nurse manager for OB/GYN.

For the Medical/Surgical Unit, 55 patient beds were purchased which feature a pressure-relieving design. The AccuMax Quantum mattress provides therapeutic support.

Finally, the hospital purchased six Emergency Department stretchers for trauma and transport use. They are designed to be more mobile, save time in transport, and have a greater weight capacity.

Bradford Regional Medical Center is a 109-bed, acute-care hospital with four Centers of Excellence: The Heart Center; The Cancer Care Center, Surgical Services; and Bradford Recovery Systems.

Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital are members of Upper Allegheny Health System.

Pictured, Bradford Regional Medical Center’s Juli Creed, RN, shows one of the five new beds purchased for the Critical Care Unit. These Hill-Rom beds are designed to ensure critically ill patients are comfortable and allow nurses to provide specialized care more efficiently.
(Photo courtesy of BRMC)