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A Drive Medical Case Study

Located in the South East of England, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides integrated care across two Acute and three Community sites to the local population.

Background and overview

Located in the South East of England, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides integrated care across two Acute and three Community sites to the local population. In 2021 the population of East Sussex exceeded 545,000 people and has a much older age profile compared to England and the rest of the South East; 26% of the county’s population is aged 65 or over, compared to 19% in England and 20% regionally.

The median age of the county is 48.4, compared to the national average of 40.2. During 2019/20 the number of emergency hospital admissions due to falls in people 65 and over per 100,000 was 2,488, compared with 2,222 for England overall. CAPITAL PURCHASE OF HOSPITAL BEDS. In 2017 East Sussex rolled out a long term bed replacement plan, to upgrade its aging bed fleet.

The Trust extensively evaluated a range of beds from multiple suppliers, finally selecting the INNOV8 range as best meeting the varying patient requirements for the 800 acute bed spaces available. They identified the Drive Medical beds were able to best meet the needs of their patient cohort, assist clinical staff, support their Green Plan KPI’s and provide value to the Trust. The majority of the bed spaces are equipped with the INNOV8 iQ bed with cantilever side rails, as well as a number of INNOV8 Low beds to aid those patients most at risk of falls, with a low platform height of just 22.5cm.

Key benefits

ENHANCED PATIENT CARE East Sussex Healthcare Trust offers a wide range of services to the local community. It was very important when selecting new ward beds, that the equipment selection met the needs of the patient cohort and supporting their comfort and physical wellbeing. The INNOV8 range of electric profiling beds provide many benefits for patient care at East Sussex Healthcare Trust;

INNOV8 iQ with cantilever side rails provides additional security for those at risk of falls, and lower to below the level of the mattress to help patients get in and out of bed more easily.

Simultaneous operation of the cardiac chair and tilt functions combined with auto regression improves patient positioning, mobilisation and rehabilitation.

With intelligent profiling and auto contour function, the INNOV8 range of beds enable patients at the press of a button to easily sit up and reposition themselves, promoting comfort and autonomy.

The INNOV8 range of beds compromise of four sections, for ultimate profiling and adjustability. Four section profiling beds have a number of additional benefits for patients which can also reduce other potential complications of immobility; and have a beneficial effect on major body systems;

  • Improved lung function
  • Earlier upright positioning and mobilisation helps reduce the risk of pressure ulcer development.
  • Reduced cardiac workload and improved cardiac output.
  • Improved urinary drainage and reduced infection risk.
  • Improved gut mobility and nutrient absorption.
  • Reduced muscle wastage, while maintaining joint flexibility.

Easy to use handset controls to provide patients with independence to re-position by adjusting the profile or height of the bed (if deemed appropriate following a clinical risk assessment).

INNOV8 Low bed features an exceptionally low minimum platform height of just 22.5cm to reduce the risk of injury from falls for at risk patients.