medicalsheepskins.com

Australian Medical Sheepskins and medical sheepskin products have been successful nursing aids for the prevention of pressure ulcers ( bed sores) since the early 1960’s. The value and comfort of Australian Medical Sheepskin products is derived from the springy 30 mm pile of these specially tanned sheepskins. The high density ( number of fibres per square inch) of soft, springy resilient wool fibres creates a cushion that distributes body weight and pressure points over a large area. Each fibre acts as a "mini-spring" that will deform to a body contour; particularly at pressure points.

Unlike other fibres, wool can absorb moisture up to 33% of its weight; without feeling wet. The wool fibres wick moisture away from the skin, keeping it dry- an important consideration for bed sore prevention. The wool pile surface also reduces friction and skin tearing; making Medical Sheepskins ideal overlays for people confined to bed or wheelchair. These Medical Sheepskin properties provide improved comfort for the patient and reduction in the primary causes of bedsores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers:

* Pressure
* Friction
* Moisture

Medical sheepskins of the past have been used very effectively in the home environment, but were not generally used in hospitals. This was largely because many patients were incontinent and sheepskins did not hold up in these circumstances. Similarly, disinfection was a problem since sheepskins could only be washed in warm water.

Today, the deficiencies of previously available medical sheepskins have been solved. As of 1998, a new standard of Medical Sheepskin was introduced in Australia. The CSIRO, in partnership with industry, developed new technologies that produced the : "Australian Medical Sheepskin
( Australian Standard AS 4480.1 1998)".

Our HiTemp UR Australian Medical Sheepskins exceed this standard.

The Australian Medical Sheepskin Standard: AS4480.1 1998
This Standard specifies requirements for tanned sheepskins and lambskins that are used for health care, medical and institutional uses. They are used to minimize the incidence, severity and duration of pressure ulcers ( bedsores and decubitus ulcers) by decreasing friction, pressure and humidity at the points of contact between the patient and the bed or chair.
Sheepskins that meet or exceed this Standard have the following properties:
well trimmed and pre-washed homogeneous wool pile of uniform length and density, well-defined staple and crimp, straight to light curl in appearance, free from pilling and vegetable matter. Wool shall not be felted leather is free from excessive natural fat and grease, free of faults, symmetrical. Can be further processed to give increased urine resistance and labelled accordingly. Leather shall not give off any pungent or rancid odour

HiTemp wool colour must be Medical Green

Wool fibre diameter shall be 26-34 µm and be 25- 30 mm long

Flatness- at all times, the product should lie flat on a horizontal surface with minimum curling around the edges.

HiTemp Medical Sheepskins must have a minimum shrink temperature of 110 oC and should not decrease more than 5oC after 5 wash cycles.

Must be colourfast