World leaders in technical support surfaces for pressure injury prevention
You will have different requirements of your support surface depending on the end-use. Here we can help you find the right fabric for your specific product, from the most comprehensive range of medical support surfaces available in the world.
Dartex has developed medical support surfaces for each unique care need. From pressure area care, to patient transfer and infection control. We have comprehensive ranges of fabrics for use in hospital, care homes and independent living. Here we can propose the right solution for your care need.
We offer two distinct fabric ranges; Dartex Classic and Dartex Advanced Technologies, which provide specialist properties depending on the medical needs of the patient. Find out more about the right choice for your application using the navigation links on the right.
The knowledge bank is a resource for all our direct customers, end-users as well of course the health care community. We showcase our research, offer technical support including details of legislation and standards. We thought that a comprehensive glossary would also be useful. Look out for the community healthcare portal later this autumn.
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Dartex is an international business, with transfer coating and transfer laminating manufacturing facilities on both sides of the Atlantic. We produce the highest quality fabrics for the world-wide healthcare market. All our fabrics are expertly engineered to be used in a variety of patient support surfaces.
Dartex Coatings Ltd. Acton Close Long Eaton Nottingham, NG10 1FZ United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)115 983 7676 Fax: +44 (0)115 973 6387
enquiries@dartexcoatings.com
home > area of care > Patient Transfer
The prime consideration when transferring patients is to keep the patient safe. This means minimising any potential risks which can include greater risk of infection, increased risk of pressure ulcers and damaging the patient’s skin as they are moved.
A factor specific to patient transfer equipment is that the same equipment is often used by a large number of patients for short periods of time. This contact with many different users can often lead to the spread of bacteria and infections, and therefore, the management of keeping equipment clean between uses is a major priority. The Dartex range of fabrics designed for patient transfer can all be wiped clean and will withstand the rigours of hospital cleaning and disinfection. This means that effective cleaning can be carried out very quickly; after wipe-cleaning the surface is disinfected, surface dry and ready to be used again. This creates a clean working environment and reduces the spread of hospital associated infections (HAIs). If required the support surface will also withstand autoclave.
A further important consideration in infection control is that Dartex medical support surfaces are reliably waterproof which can prevent fluid ingress and contamination of the composites. Furthermore there is the additional benefit of weldable seams which will also act as a barrier to fluid ingress and contamination. This not only has a benefit in terms of patient safety but will also prolong the life of the equipment.
Pressure Care in patient transfer is of vital importance, in order to reduce the physical pressure exerted on a patient a stretch contact surface is often used. This helps to distribute pressure away from vulnerable areas of the patient’s body and together with the composite will provide support and even distribution of pressure. This will help to minimise the impact of the patient developing pressure ulcers as a result of being moved.
The surface of the patient transfer equipment should also have sufficient slip, as excess surface friction can add to the risk of damaging the patient’s skin and also in developing a pressure ulcer. Furthermore the support surface should also offer a degree of moisture vapour permeability to ensure that the surface remains dry and comfortable to the touch.
Dartex launch Endurance Advanced Fabric Technology
Tissue Viability Society 2012 Anual Conference
A comparative Study of Microclimate in Mattresses, EPUAP September 2012