Uses of Hospital Bed Air Mattress

What Are Hospital Bed Air Mattresses?

A hospital bed air mattress is an alternating pressure mattress system developed for the comfort of the patients under-recovery, confined to the bed for more than 15 hours in a day. Such patients are likely to develop bedsores which later develop into pressure ulcers. These bed mattress helps to prevent pressure ulcers. To avoid skin breakdown in the patients due to low blood flow, medical air mattress uses alternating pressure and low air loss therapy to stimulate the circulation in the patient’s body.

The mattress overlays are filled with air, and consist of several air cylinders placed parallel to each other. Together, these cylinders make for an air-filled mattress. They are typically made up of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and, nowadays, textile-reinforced Urethane Plastic versions also exist. The material has the strength and sturdiness to support up to 350 pounds of weight. The accompanying digital pump can be used to inflate and deflate it and control the air pressure.

The most preferred deflating air mattress for hospital bed is made up of water-resistant material, has a vapour-permeable surface, and comes with a soft quilt-like feel to it.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide To Choose The Best Pressure Relief Mattress

Why are Air Mattresses Required?

Restricted blood flowing in the body of patients who are bedridden or the ones who have lost mobility breaks down the skin cells. This skin cell breakdown can result in bedsores which later convert into painful ulcers. Hospital air bed mattress is, therefore, a prerequisite to help keep patients comfortable and prevent them from the various degree of risks.

Benefits Of Using Hospital Bed Air Mattress

When any of your loved ones are dealing with medical issues, your priority is to ensure their comfort. This is where the hospital bed air mattress comes into role. Experts suggest these uniquely designed mattresses to patients for the utmost comfort and quick recovery. A few benefits of these products are:

• Improved Blood Circulation: As the patient moves on the mattress, the pressure points keep on alternating. This further assists in enhancing the blood circulation of the patient’s body. They also feel fresh while sleeping on the mattress due to the changing pressure points. Therefore, they obtain more sound sleep on the bed.
• Alternate Pressure Points: Patients who spend extended hours on their beds are prone to develop problems like bed sores and pressure ulcers. This happens due to continuous pressure on specific points of their body. However, the problem can be avoided with air mattress for bed sores because of their alternating pressure point feature.
• Low-Air Loss Technology: Hot surfaces can be challenging to sleep on. That is why an air mattress for a hospital bed is incorporated with a low-air loss technology. Under this, numerous small holes are provided on the mattress. These holes let a small amount of air leak and keep the surface cool for sleeping.
• Convenience: Mattresses used for patients require frequent cleaning and maintenance. If you opt for a regular heavy mattress for this purpose, this task will become hectic. But there is no such problem with medical air mattress as they are lightweight and easy to maintain. So neither the patient nor the caregiver will have any issue.

How Do Air Mattresses For Hospital Bed Work?

As mentioned above, the air cylinders in the alternating pressure mattresses are placed parallel to each other. The air moves in a sequence from one cylinder to another to perfuse the blood in areas which are at higher risk of developing pressure ulcers. When one cell gets inflated, the other one gets deflated. This motion of air within the pneumatic mattress relieves the pressure on problematic areas of the body regularly, stimulating blood flow.

Some of the Options Available to Hospitals and Healthcare Centres are:

• For patients at lower risk of pressure ulceration, Bubblemat Overlay with 130 alternating cells is a suitable option.
• The premium 3, 5 and 8 alternating pressure mattress overlays are great affordable options for patients at risk of bedsores. The 12-minute air pressure cycle ensures the proper flow of blood in the patient’s body. They are waterproof and has static head cells to avoid disturbance while sleeping.
• Further on, the 10 pressure mattress system is the hospital-grade air mattress replacement system. They are ideal for patients who at a high or very high risk of developing bedsores and pressure ulcers. They maximize therapeutic comfort and healing effect.

Deflating air mattress for a hospital bed is crucial to provide comfort to patients.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide On The Best Mattress For Adjustable Bed

How to Choose the Best Hospital Air Bed Mattresses

The adjustable firm supports that medical air mattresses offer has made them a popular choice. As a healthcare services provider, knowledge about the different types can help you better plan the comfort and care you provide your patients.

•  Size:

Hospital mattress manufacturers consider the market demand and offer standard sizes like Queen, Full, and Twin. You can also expect sizes like California King, King, Twin XL. When selecting the size, make sure that you select a medical air mattresses is the right fit for the hospital bed. Ability to Retain Air:

Air leak is a common problem with inferior brands. Connections, valve, and near air pump are common areas where air leak occurs. Thus, it is important that you select a reputed brand with a proven record of delivering high-quality products to its customers.

•  Comfort Offered:

Comfort is another important factor that you should consider. You should select a mattress which distributes the weight of the patient evenly. The edges should be sturdy, and the structural differences in the middle and the sides of the mattress shouldn’t be significant.

•  Cleaning Requirements:

Check out if the mattress covers are waterproof and stain-resistant. It is important to know the cleaning frequency required. For patients who are incontinent, a mattresses system with anti-microbial covers and seams is a must – for both patient and caregiver health. Most of the hospitals meet this requirement.

•  User Mobility:

Consider the number of hours spent in bed. Patient needs vary depending on their medical issues. The more time a person will spend in bed, the more care must be taken to prevent skin conditions such as bedsores, ulcers, and skin shearing. Different mattresses like innerspring mattress, foam mattress, and low air loss mattress or alternating pressure mattress serve diversified hospital needs.

The market is definitely confusing with all the different options available. But with the help of the factors mentioned above, you can definitely make the right decision.

What Types Of Hospital Bed Air Mattresses Are Best?

Even though the primary features remain the same, medical air mattress can be divided into different types. The very first kind is the one that comes with an air-pump. This additional tool helps alter pressure points as per your convenience and turn the product into an adjustable air mattress for hospital beds. These are great for people who tend to sleep in one position for long hours, preventing bed sores or pressure ulcers.

Another feature is the low-air loss technology, which lets small amounts of air escape the hospital bed air mattress. Therefore, it keeps the surface cool, and the patient doesn’t feel any problem with sleeping on it. If you want an air mattress for bed sores, you can also look for memory foam toppers. But always remember to check with the air mattress for hospital bed price before buying it.

Medtrica’s Hospital Bed Air Mattress Production House: