01.04.2009

"carisma" from wissner-bosserhoff honoured with the "universal design award 09"



At the Altenpflege + ProPflege trade fair from 24th to 26th March 2009 in Nuremberg, Wissner-Bosserhoff, Wickede, is presenting its innovative nursing home bed "carisma", which Universal design GmbH, an initiative of the iF International Forum Design, Hannover, awarded the "universal design award 09" as "consumer favourite" in the "assisted living" category on 4th March 2009 . With this award, "carisma" is one of the products that provide people in special living situations with a specific or individual solution, helping to support them so that they can continue determining their own lives as far as possible.
What is special about the "universal design award" is the way it actively involves representative user groups. The assessment, according to the criteria of a broad usability, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, error tolerance and safety, and cost effectiveness, was performed by 100 selected test persons from all age groups. A point system is used to establish the winners of the "universal design consumer favourite 09". An approval quota of 75 percent is required. By proceeding in this way, the initiators of the award create an awareness in the population for the subject of "universal design", and involve them in the decision, which really does create as great a benefit as possible for targets group in question.
With the "carisma", Wissner-Bosserhoff is pursuing a self-imposed commitment, whereby the nursing home bed is assigned prime importance as far as the well-being and dignity of the resident is concerned. Comfort, user-friendly functions and cosy character of the nursing home bed play a crucial role. With attractive accessories, this new product family offers an outstanding cost-benefit ratio.
"carisma" products are equipped with the newest patient surface generation, the "BiNetic" frame, developed based on ergonomic studies by Professor Eigler. In his investigation, focused on clinical practice, he not only substantiated the benefits of a 4-part bedding surface, but also established the optimal distribution of these parts in accordance with anthropometrics. The length of the backrest must be at least 80 cm in order for the spinal column and cervical vertebra to be effectively supported.
In addition, the "BiNetic" frame includes the double retraction of the backrest (11 cm) and the leg rest (6 cm) for the "carisma" nursing home bed. It ensures that pressure in the pelvic area is reduced, and reduces friction and shearing forces. The risk of bedsores is reduced. Backrest and leg rest in the autocontour position, and the seat position create extra space of up to 17 cm. For residents under 180 cm, a bedding surface extension is not needed. For larger residents – and this is what is new in the "BiNetic" frame – the bed extension is already integrated into the patient surface system.
Two hybrid lifting columns guarantee a height adjustability from 36 to 80 cm. These provide the bed with a high degree of stability and ensure that it withstands a functional load of up to 225 kg without problem. Equipping the "carisma" with divided side guards was a result of the recommendation by the "Expert Standard for Fall Prevention" issued by the Osnabrück Technical College. The "zero gap" partial side guards serve as an aid for mobilisation and standing up.
Last year, the Universal design GmbH, in partnership with the iF International Forum Design GmbH, inaugurated the "universal design award". It is aimed at target groups in business, politics and science. A total of 92 contributions from 18 countries were submitted for the "universal design award 09".
The "universal design consumer favorite 09" in the "assisted living" category, endowed with a seal of quality, was received by Wissner-Bosserhoff GmbH on 4th March 2009, during the CEBIT trade fair in Hannover. At the Altenpflege + ProPflege trade fair, from 24th to 26th March 2009 in Nuremberg, the company is presenting its award-winning nursing home bed on stand 4-455 in Hall 4. In addition to this, the bed is also appearing in the "Lebensräume" [Living Spaces] special exhibition of the fair, where apart from its particular benefits, ethical dimensions and the alleviation of stress in nursing will be discussed.