Bacteriological safety and low-air-loss beds

The distribution of bacteria into the environment while managing a simulated 1 0% body surface area burn on either a standard hospital bed or a low-air-loss bed was examined in this study. The extent of contamination was similar for both types of bed but operating the bed head/foot mechanism of the low-air-loss bed might be a hazard in certain circumstances. The investigation demonstrated the insidious build up of bacteria within a patient treatment cubicle. Means for eliminating possible contamination of the low-air-loss bed were investigated and an effective method devised. It was also found that commonly employed topical therapeutic agents for burns did not affect the air sac fabric of the low-air-loss bed, but a standard phenolic disinfectant was deleterious. The cleaning and disinfecting procedures were found to be effective in clinical practice.