Considerations when Selecting a Hospital Mattress for Home

.

Are you considering purchasing a hospital mattress for the home? If so, it can be hard to know where to start – this guide is here to help you make the right choice.

Who will be using it?

There are a variety of different Hospital mattresses to choose from and with different materials types. The type you select for your needs will depend on the specifics of your medical center. Begin by considering the needs of the patient.

Will the patient be able to roll over in bed if lying down? Is there a risk of pulmonary infection? What about the weight of the patients, will this be a factor?

The answer to these questions will give you the benchmarks for determining the mattress you need?

Types of Hospital Mattresses

In this article, we will look at these five types of mattress:

• Innerspring coils
• Foam
• Low air loss/ alternating pressure
• Lateral rotation
• Bariatric
• Innerspring coils:

This could be the most basic version of mattress and is cost-effective as well. One advantage is that these are a firmer option than those normally associated with hospital beds use. When applied to hospital use these often have a vinyl covering which offers, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and water-resistant features. This can also be wiped down making this option very easy to clean.

Because they are very firm, the innerspring mattress is not a good option for those patients needing a form-fitting with softer padding.

Foam

Delicate skin is better protected by a foam mattress. These also relieve body pressure in ways other mattresses do not. A foam mattress is also more durable than your coil mattress and can be flipped over to reduce wear.

The foam mattress also encourages better airflow and can be found in a wide variety of qualities. Not all is top quality memory foam but even lower grades of foam may work well.

Be sure to examine the care tags on your mattresses. Not all feature a waterproof covers and even though some seem water-resistant, they may allow moisture to seep inside.

The core of a foam mattress is softer and those patients needing softer beds will be more comfortable with this choice of mattress.

Low air loss/ alternating pressure mattress

This type of mattress is a bit like the inflatable camping mattress. It is made up of individual air cells that can be swapped out as needed. These cells are connected by an air tubing wrapped soft materials. This mattress provides extraordinary pressure relief. This is a clinical evaluation of hospital mattresses and worth reading if you are considering one.

Remember that CPR can only be performed on a hard surface. While these mattresses do have a rapid release system for this very situation, but still this is a factor to consider when selecting beds for patients with a risk and possible need for CPR.

The advantage is the improvement of blood circulation to the skin which can expedite the healing of ulcers and diminishes their pain. If you are unsure of the specific differences between foam mattresses and hybrid-air pressure mattresses, learn more about their clinical

Lateral Rotation Mattress

Patients who will need their body weight turned and shifted on their beds will prefer the use of a lateral rotation mattress. This function facilitates regular rotations that can even be performed on a sleeping patient. Rotation helps to avoid the formation of pressure ulcers which can cause life-threatening infections.

Frequent repositioning can also keep patients with pneumonia and other lungs conditions safe from pulmonary complications.  

Lateral rotation beds are a good choice for those patients with limited mobility and impaired use of their limbs. Patients that are especially heavy or elderly can also benefit from this type of bed.

Bariatric

The bariatric bed is an extra wide heavy-duty bed with an average weight capacity of 1200 lbs. plus, these are typically used on the very obese. Equipped with electric movable parts, these beds allow very heavy patients to be moved about so the sheets can be changed while still maintaining their dignity.

A bed like this also has cooling features that keep the heat and moisture from accumulating on the mattress. This also keeps the patient's skin dry and free from adverse reactions.

Choosing a Fabric

Because health is the most important consideration, you will need to choose an exterior fabric that resists moisture, fluid, stains and fire. It is also a good idea to have your mattress fabric made from antimicrobial materials, because this makes them easier to clean.

This is important because the more cost-effective cleaning is the less water and fewer chemicals you will need. The fabric you choose will affect how long your mattress lasts and how they will be experienced by your patients.

Pick your sheets

You can't use your conventional king-queen or double sized sheets on a hospital bed. If you use sheets that are too small, you will find they don't fit all around the bed, sheets that are too large will not fit right and can become a suffocation hassle or simply uncomfortable.

The correct hospital sheet measures 36? wide and 80? in length or even as much as 84. You will want to get the exact measurements before you get sheets. You may need to include the measurements for a foam or gel topper if you will use this.

How to clean a hospital mattress

Wash and disinfect your mattress often to maintain its quality and boost longevity. Look for a cleaning agent that is safe and gentle on your fabric. Remember that the cheapest, most expensive or the most potent cleaners can worsen the conditions of your mattress