Caregivers

Management of Bed and Chair Pads

If you are using bed and chair pads, be certain to write the “Date Put into Use” line on the pad.  There are pads that may be used for 14 days, some 90 days, and some for one year.  Do not use the pads longer than the time specified by the manufacturer.

To track the dates:
1) Use a permanent marker and write the date the pad was first put into use in the space provided on the pad.
2) Add this date to the patient’s chart and the date that the pad should be replaced.
3) If the pad is cleaned, and then used for another patient, note the transfer on each of the patients’ charts and record the date in the new patient’s chart.

Please click here to download a new copy of the Daily Checklist for Pressure Pads

From the Caregivers…

During Lee Snyder’s fight against cancer, there was a period of time when he was too ill and weak to be able to get up and down the stairs.  He was confined to his bedroom in the upper floor of his house, and Lee’s wife, Pat, had to make many trips up and down the stairs to take care of him. There was no alternative way to find out if he needed anything or if he was getting along, so Pat was unable to get many of her other day-to-day responsibilities completed. Caring for her husband became more stressful for Pat since she didn’t know if Lee was in need of immediate care when she was out of the room.

When first introduced to the SafePresence Bedside Communicator, Pat immediately noted how helpful it would have been during her husband’s illness.  Her two main areas of concern for Lee – whether he was safely in bed and if he needed anything – would have been completely covered.  Since the Bedside Communicator can connect to bed pads, Pat would have known immediately if Lee had left the bed by an alert sent to her remote receiver that she carried with her.  She also would have had direct, clear communication with Lee.  If he had ever needed anything, he could have let her know – wherever she was – and without multiple trips up and down the stairs.

Patricia Snyder is a respected consultant to the long-term care industry and former Long-term Care Administrator and Executive Director of the Nebraska Health Care Association