When patients are bedridden for lengthy periods of time, hospital bed mattresses, usually known as medical as well as therapeutic mattresses, may bring comfort and also minimize negative effects.
Pressure ulcers are an issue for patients who require a hospital bed mattress. A good mattress spreads the body weight evenly, and also minimizes and cures pressure ulcers.
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What is a Hospital Bed Mattress?
A hospital bed mattress is a type of mattress which can be used in a healthcare setting. Some individuals need this kind of mattress at their residence when they are ill or if their movement is limited.
For some medical issues, a regular mattress may not be appropriate. Furthermore, it has the potential to worsen or induce pressure ulcers, often called bedsores.
A variety of factors contribute to the development of pressure ulcers. External pressure on the tissues over an extended period of time produces a shortage of blood circulation to the affected region. It is also possible that poor lymphatic drainage contributes to the formation of bedsores.
Hospital bed mattresses, as opposed to the ordinary mattresses, help prevent and cure pressure sores. Suppliers of hospital bed mattresses employ a variety of components in their products. The materials used in such mattresses are comparable to those used in standard mattresses, and they include:
- Innerspring
- Gel mattresses
- Foam
- Air
Mattresses for hospital beds should also be waterproof, antibacterial, and easy to maintain. These characteristics assure that the mattresses meet healthcare sanitary requirements.
What type of mattress is most used on hospital beds?
An innerspring mattress is a common hospital bed. It shares features with a regular bed, and it is a good choice for people who do not need to spend too much time in bed. Innerspring mattresses are similar to these other ones that people use at home.
Can a regular mattress go on a hospital bed?
Hospital beds are designed to provide the best support and prevent pressure on uncomfortable places in your body. A regular mattress will not work for this kind of furniture, as it doesn’t offer enough cushioning or comfort-ability with its materials.
A hospital bed should only be used by those who need extra care from their sheets because they can cause sores if rolled up against sensitive skin areas such as elbows where people may rest when sitting during medical procedures.
What kind of mattress can you use on a hospital bed?
It’s not uncommon to find hospital beds that are the same size as a twin XL bed. This means that the conventional mattresses won’t adapt to the hospital bed frames that bend and flex during a raised or sitting position, regardless of their size.
Beds that incorporate users who spend significantly more bedtime and those with healthcare needs aren’t common. Normally 6 to 8 inches thick, hospital bed mattresses are much more long lasting than standard mattresses and thus are available in foam, innerspring, and reduced air loss styles.
Bed Size
Normal hospital beds are 80 inches in length and 36 inches in width, or perhaps the size of a twin XL mattress. Beds that can accommodate 94 – inch – long and 54 – inch – wide frames are also available. Normal hospital mattresses for bariatric patients tend to be larger and have a relatively high load capacity.
Mattresses longer than the user will be more comfortable for the patient and allow for more space for position modifications, which in turn improves their health.
Support
With the correct mattress support, you can avoid backache and get the most from your sleep time by keeping your spine in correct alignment.
The mattress must push up on the body’s curvatures and contours to counterbalance the body’s weight as well as keep the body in a straight line. An overly firm mattress won’t accept the body’s balanced orientation and an overly soft mattress won’t fill out the body’s curves.
Age and Lifestyle
Being in a hospital bed can be a requirement as we age, therefore it’s important to consider the demands of seniors when selecting a hospital bed mattress for home usage.
People over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer from chronic sleep problems that are often caused by pain in the neck, shoulders, back and hips. Structural support of a mattress helps lessen discomfort, which results in a more pleasant sleep environment.
Best mattresses suitable for use in hospital beds
A few of the best hospital bed mattress choices are listed here.
Drive Medical Therapeutic 5 Zone Support Mattress
A patient’s body weight is equally distributed throughout five zones on this mattress. It is water – resistant and flame – resistant. It’s complex upper surface relieves strain on the skeletal body regions which are more susceptible to the pressure against the mattress.
Stomach and back sleepers can use this mattress, but it is not suitable for side sleepers.
Invacare Solace Prevention Therapeutic Foam Mattress
Patients who are at a medium to high risk of getting pressure ulcers can benefit the most from this mattress. This foam mattress features multiple sections of increased density to reduce the pressure on body portions that are prone to sores.
According to the producers, this mattress is very long lasting and simple to clean.
Marathon Advanced Care General Patient and ICU or CCU Hospital Bed Memory Foam Mattress
This mattress has several layers. To improve comfort as well as postural balance, it contains distinct regions with varying densities.
The latex – free, antimicrobial, antifungal, and allergen – free cover is removable and the mattress also comes with the standard 12 – month warranty.
How long does a hospital bed mattress last?
The lifespan for a foam hospital mattress can be up to 10 years, while an innerspring bed might only have 8 year life expectance. Air-based sleeping surfaces have an average lifespan between 8 and 10 years.
What is the difference between a hospital bed and an adjustable bed?
Hospital beds can raise and lower the foot or head of the bed. Adjustable beds can raise just one part of the bed, or they can raise both parts at once to create a recliner-like feeling. This is most comfortable when you are just sitting up in your bed.
Final Thoughts: Which foam mattress is best for hospital bed?
A therapeutic foam mattress can be made of different layers, zones and density. For long-term durability a high-density one is best such as the Softform Excel from Invacare which has been reported to last 5 years or more.
Softforms are made up by multiple components including varying levels in depth as well as differing types for comfort depending on your needs. This ensures that everyone gets exactly what they want out this product.