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Winona, MN, November 14, 2007 — New safety regulations have hospitals looking for proven solutions to prevent falls and reduce fall-related injuries, a $20 billion-a-year problem nationally. The Comfortex Landing Strip, an ultra-thin bedside floor mat that absorbs and dissipates the impact of a fall, is an innovative tool that helps hospitals of all sizes comply with these new requirements, providing an immediate patient safety enhancement at a low cost.

The regulations, written and monitored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), charge hospitals with implementing fall reduction programs. Hospital risk management officers, fall safety coordinators and purchasing agents are reviewing the benefits of the Comfortex Landing Strip, already proven to substantially reduce fall-related injuries in thousands of Nursing Homes across the nation.

"For 25 years, Comfortex has provided innovative solutions to patient comfort and safety in both long-term care and hospital environments, including many of the major Medical Centers and Health Systems in the country as well as in Europe," said Comfortex Founder and CEO Mike Murphy. "With over 100,000 Landing Strips now in use, the Landing Strip has successfully reduced the impact of falls, as well as incidence of fall-related injuries, since it was introduced in 2000. JCAHO 's heightened goals indicate a positive change in patient care trends, and we are pleased to provide the Landing Strip as part of this compassionate effort."

The Landing Strip is a convenient, cost effective solution for hospitals and long-term care facilities because of its ability to minimize impact forces to protect patients from bedside injury should a fall occur. The one-inch thick mat provides more safety than thicker, cumbersome pads and contains a unique blend of materials proven, through both laboratory tests and enthusiastic facility usage, to substantially reduce the impact of falls.

Studies prove 20 percent to 30 percent of those who fall suffer injuries that reduce mobility and independence while increasing the risk of premature death. The cost of a non-fatal fall averages more than $20,000. Nationwide that is more than $20 billion annually. JCAHO's guidelines in the 2007/2008 National Patient Safety Goals are an attempt to change these grim statistics. It requires hospitals to reduce the risk of patient harm resulting from falls. Goal Nine in the guidelines speaks to the need to prevent or reduce injury, should a fall occur.

About Comfortex
For 25 years, Comfortex has domestically manufactured leading hospital and long-term care facility equipment, including mattresses, stretcher cushions and bedside floor mats, designed to optimize patient comfort and safety. With compassion and customer service at its helm, Comfortex has built a nimble organization capable of quickly addressing customer needs and providing appropriate solutions. The company's innovative product solutions are used in large hospital systems and long-term care communities of all sizes. Comfortex is headquartered in Winona, Minn. Please visit www.prevent-injuries.com for additional information.

Source: Comfortex