Microclimate Management.

In this series of articles we have focused on pressure care mattresses, the role of sleep in recovery and contributing factors that can lead to pressure injuries. In this article, the focus is on microclimate and how the right pressure care mattress and bedding can contribute to lowering the risk of pressure injuries.

When we talk about microclimate in bedding, it refers to the local temperature and humidity conditions at the skin surface where a person is resting. Significant fluctuations in a microclimate can increase the potential for pressure injuries as heat and moisture near the skin can contribute to pressure injury development by weaking the skin and making it more susceptible to pressure, shear and friction damage.

Microclimate management focusses on ensuring correct bedding and clothing, regular skin care and specialised support surfaces designed to regulate temperature and moisture are employed to help lower the potential risk of pressure injuries.

Pressure care mattress allows for the minimal interference management between the individual’s skin and the mattress, reducing the risk of friction and shear. Both foam and air mattress help disperse body weight, reducing the downward pressure of an individual’s bodyweight against the mattress.

Moisture control is a key element in microclimate management and often there is a mistake to look for a waterproof option. In most cases a waterproof option will not be as elastic, and this means a greater risk of shear. They also tend to be non-breathable and therefore create more heat, causing the individual to sweat more.   A breathable and water resistance mattress that wicks moisture away, not soaks moisture in, is easy to wipe and clean and will also not generate as much heat. Less heat means less perspiration, less perspiration means less moisture between skin and surface. If incontinence is a factor in an individual’s care or recovery, then a focused incontinence plan needs to be implemented.

Bedding microclimate management comes down to the insulation of an individual’s heat, keeping heat and heat fluctuations to a minimum to reduce moisture from sweating. Both the mattress and bed linen need to be considered in microclimate management. A correctly managed sleep set up will increase thermal comfort, reduce the risk of pressure injuries and increase the sleep comfort and sleep quality of the individual.