UK-based Rober has launched an innovative range of pressure mattresses for the Indian market that caters for immobile, critically ill and bariatric patients. The innovative range of mattresses and overlays have been developed in conjunction with clinicians, and includes solutions and features clinically proven technology that prevents pressure injuries from developing. Mike Hutson, Chief Executive, Rober, talks more about the company’s future prospects in India in an interaction with Express Healthcare
At what price will Rober’s NoDec and AirFlex ranges be available in the Indian market?
Prices are highly competitive in relation to our competitors here in India, especially when compared to quality and reliability.
Rober India is based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. How long has the company had a presence in India? What has been the market’s response to the products in terms of orders, etc?
Rober opened its showroom towards the end of 2014 and concentrated on the healthcare shows in India, talking to potential distributors and more importantly medical staff working in the hospitals. This provided valuable in-market research in preparation for product launch currently taking place.
What is the company’s marketing strategy in the Indian market in terms of sales and distribution channels?
Rober sees the Indian market as being a major opportunity for business; hence, the strategy was not based on previous strategies to simply find a distributor for a particular region/country but to establish a presence by having its own company based out of India and eventually leading to our location in Bengaluru. Although being a manufacturer, Rober places customer service as a number one priority and the only way to guarantee this was direct involvement.
What are the advantages of Rober’s solutions over competitors?
Rober over the last 18 months has invested heavily in product development creating improved performance, reliability and cost-effective solutions. Rober maintains its commitment to designed and build in the UK.
Which are the other emerging markets that Rober offer the ‘affordable healthcare’ range of pressure mattress solutions?
Rober has eyes on the Middle East and is working closely with approved distributors to launch and sell the products.
What causes pressure ulcers and who do they affect?
Pressure ulcers are wounds that occur when a continuous pressure or friction is placed on one area of the body, damaging the skin. They occur when pressure stops blood from flowing normally, leading the cells to die and the skin to break down. Pressure ulcers tend to affect people with health conditions that make it difficult to move, especially those confined to lying in a bed or sitting for prolonged periods of time. Body parts that are most at risk of developing pressure ulcers are those that are not covered by and large amount of body fat and are in direct contact with a supporting surface, such as a bed or a wheelchair. These areas include; shoulders or shoulder blades, elbows, back of the head, rims of the ears, knees, ankles, heels or toes or spine.
Can you please explain the technology used in Rober’s mattresses?
Our technology creates a wave-like ripple effect that is specifically designed to replicate the body’s natural movements, helping to eliminate pressure injuries and provide patient comfort and safety. This wave-like ripple effect provides regular and complete pressure elimination to all parts of the body that come into contact with the mattress, preventing pressure injuries from developing, as well as promoting the healing of established ulcers. Over the last few years, heavy investment in R&D has enabled us to develop a full range of alternating mattress solutions, which cater for a variety of patients’ needs – from everyday nursing environments to acute care facilities. We have solutions that cater for immobile, critically ill and bariatric patients, as well as those that have independent areas, such as the heel, a key risk area for pressure ulcers.
How does this technology help to eliminate pressure injuries?
Our new generation of mattresses are fully automatic and patients nursed upon them require less manual repositioning which helps in nursing environments. The constant movement of the mattress ensures that patients are not affected by prolonged periods of pressure and therefore at risk of developing pressure injuries. Through working closely with clinicians, we have focused our technology on four key areas – microclimate control, patient safety and comfort, maximising infection control and offering additional nursing support. Additional features such as a touch screen display panel, comfort settings, timed static mode, audible and visual alarms, and permanently inflated side formers all provide great benefits to patients and busy nursing staff.
What are Rober’s plans for the future?
Our R&D team is currently developing a third range of pressure solutions for third world countries, which are more affordable. We hope that by providing undeveloped countries with access to this technology and by working with hospitals directly in these countries, it will help tackle the problem of pressure ulcers globally. As a UK manufacturer, it is important to continually identify innovative solutions to assist our growth; therefore we are significantly investing in R&D and research activities/collaborative working to ensure that we stay at the forefront of technology. We hope that the outcome of this work is increased profitability through improved quality and operations, increased sales and access to new markets.
Where can readers find more information?
- Advertisement -
Comments are closed.