There are just over 6,000 hospitals across the US today, and one of the most important pieces of equipment inside these buildings is the patients’ beds. Currently, there are around 919,000 hospital beds in America.
Hospital beds can cost between a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 plus for the most specialized types. These essential tools help patients with mobility issues, provide comfort and safety to the infirm, and help medical staff. Quality hospital beds are fully adjustable and help nurses manage their patients easier. They can help staff move patients into wheelchairs safely, and they can help with recovery.
Even the best hospital bed wouldn’t be therapeutic without a suitable mattress though. Hospital mattresses are just as important as the bed they go on. Choosing the right one is an essential task.
Why is choosing the right mattress so important for hospital beds?
Hospital beds are designed to offer maximum comfort and to suit patients recovering from a wide range of injuries and ailments. The mattress that cushions the patient needs to be equally suitable and comforting.
Patients can spend extended times in bed, and end up suffering from pressure damage such as bed sores or ulcers. Patients suffering from mobility concerns are more likely to be affected as they cannot switch positions easily. Such patients may require airflow mattresses. Heavier patients may require a bariatric air mattress to avoid developing bed sores or to alleviate the pressure on existing ones.
Not all patients are the same, and choosing the right mattress is vital to provide the comfort expected and needed in a busy hospital today.
How do you choose the best hospital mattress?
For most administrators, the budget will be a major factor in how a hospital mattress is chosen. Fortunately, there are many different types of quality hospital mattresses.
The range of mattresses for hospital beds on the market now all have different qualities. These will play a part in how you select the right choices. For individuals choosing a hospital mattress for home then the factors will be different.
If you have a hospital bed at home and require a mattress, then you should look at your specific needs. Some mattresses are aimed specifically at pressure management, while others may be geared towards sufferers of chronic pain. Support, comfort, quality, and cost are also important factors to consider.
These are some things to look for in a hospital mattress:
- Wicking properties
- Shock absorbency
- Good airflow
- Pressure management properties
- Support
Some mattresses use alternating pressure to help heal bed sores and prevent new ones from developing. These help with blood flow and circulation too. The downside to these types of mattresses is that they require the constant use of a motor that some people might find disturbing, especially other patients.
What type of mattresses is available for hospital beds?
As you have read there can be several properties surrounding these mattresses. Some hospital mattresses are excellent at helping with pain management while others can increase blood flow and prevent pressure sores.
One of the keys to a peaceful mind is a good night’s rest. Sleep assists with physical recovery and helps mental wellness also. Deep sleep aids health, but many people choose unsuitable mattresses.
Hospital mattresses are designed specifically to fit the specialized beds used across the country. They come in different forms too.
- Foam mattresses
- Air mattresses
- Hybrid mattresses
Foam mattresses
These use air trapped within foam substances rather than use springs or coils. These are good for preventing bed sores and pressure ulcers. Profiling and basic mattresses are available in foam, as well as pressure-reducing gel-topped versions.
Air mattresses
These can provide crucial care for patients with pressure ulcers or those who are likely to develop them imminently. These mattresses come in different types and can alternate airflow. Being able to control airflow means pressure can be alleviated in different areas of the body. This is particularly useful in bariatric patients who are at high risk of bed sores and ulcers.
Hybrid mattresses
These hospital mattresses are like they sound, a cross between air and foam. They can consist of foam-filled air cells and adaptive foot cells to provide comfort for patients from the low-risk up to the very high-risk groups of developing pressure ulcers.
In each of these categories, there are a variety of different features and properties depending on cost. Some are designed for those most at risk of falling, others purposely for patients who are bedridden.
Choosing the right hospital mattress can be tough due to the sheer variety that is now available.
Summary
There are many proven habits to sleep better but one of the best tips is to have a good mattress. Never is this more important than in a hospital, or nursing home, or in your own home if you are in recovery.
Hospital beds perform an important role in a patient’s recovery, but without a quality mattress, their worth would be negated.
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