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Hospital bed mattresses, also known as medical or therapeutic mattresses, may provide comfort and prevent side effects when people remain immobile for long periods.
Some people require specialized mattresses if they are sick or if they have reduced or impaired mobility.
A traditional mattress may not suit certain medical conditions, may aggravate them, or cause pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores.
Pressure ulcers occur due to a combination of factors. Prolonged external pressure on tissues causes a lack of blood flow to the affected area. Impaired drainage from the lymphatic system may also contribute to the development of sores.
Compared with traditional mattresses, hospital bed mattresses work better for preventing and relieving pain from pressure sores.
Hospital bed mattress manufacturers use different materials in their products than regular mattress manufacturers. These materials are similar to those found in traditional mattresses and include:
Hospital bed mattresses should also be waterproof, antimicrobial, and easy to clean. These features ensure the mattress meets medical-grade sanitation standards.
The head, leg, and bed heights are typically adjustable with hospital mattresses, and they can bend with the adjustment of the head and legs.
Medical News Today chooses hospital bed mattresses that meet the following criteria:
MNT follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
As part of our updates process, we check and re-vet all products. We removed some mattresses that were not in the Establishment Registration and Device Listing, as the FDA classifies hospital mattresses as Class I and Class II medical devices.
Just like a traditional mattress, a good hospital bed mattress should provide appropriate support and comfort.
The only way to know whether a mattress may suit someone is to test it, where possible.
Below are some of the best hospital bed mattress options for a person to consider.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
This 6-inch (in) mattress distributes a person’s weight evenly across five zones. It is waterproof and flame-retardant. It is also lightweight at 15.2 pounds (lb) and is therefore suitable for travel.
The mattress comes with a sheer 2-way-stretch cover that reduces friction and is water-resistant.
The top layer reduces pressure on the body’s bony parts, which may have a higher risk of compression against the mattress.
The foam material is appropriate for stomach and back sleepers but not for side sleepers.
*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
This foam mattress helps provide relief for those at medium or high risk of developing pressure ulcers.
It has three zones that distribute weight and relieve pressure from the head, body, and heels.
The mattress has several higher density, pressure-relieving areas that help those at risk of developing sores. It has a reasonable surface area for support and relief.
It also features a fluid-resistant nylon top cover and a trilaminate vinyl bottom to allow for easy cleaning.
*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
This pressure-redistribution mattress has three layers of memory foam and provides comfort by redistributing a person’s weight evenly across its surface.
It features a foam cut that provides ample support, promotes airflow, and minimizes moisture.
The mattress is available in six sizes and includes a waterproof mattress cover.
The company claims that this mattress is appropriate for at-home use for older adults and people with a wide range of body sizes and weights, including those with overweight or obesity.
*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
This fluid-resistant mattress features a unique contoured foam insert. The foam layer provides individual comfort and optimizes pressure reduction.
The foam layer contains individual cells that interrupt tension, allowing a person to feel immersed in the foam. This feature optimizes pressure reduction.
This mattress has enhanced edge support with a single-piece foam “U” core to make it easier for people to get on and off the mattress. Additionally, the mattress comes with the company’s trademarked removable and washable Softform mattress cover.
*Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
This therapeutic memory foam mattress can support up to 300 lb of weight and has a dedicated heel section.
The mattress has three layers of memory foam for optimal comfort.
The top foam layer provides pressure redistribution points to help prevent pressure ulcers.
The bottom layer has full-length horizontal cuts that the company claims extend the durability of the mattress.
The following table compares the mattresses in this article on type, height, and more.
For individuals who must remain in bed, a hospital bed with a hospital bed mattress is safer and more comfortable than a traditional bed and mattress. However, it may not suit more mobile people.
One study demonstrated that a large-scale switch-out of hospital mattresses led to a reduction in hospital-acquired pressure sores. This resulted in a 66.6% decrease in stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers and a 50% reduction in mattress comfort complaints.
Some experts suggest using silk-based fabrics since they are superior in pressure ulcer prevention. Cotton-based fabrics may cause increased friction forces and damage to the skin.
A hospital bed mattress may not be suitable for people who are not at risk of developing bedsores, those who do not have reduced mobility, and those who do not need to remain lying down.
In addition, a person who will be using a hospital mattress at home may not be able to try the mattress before buying it.
Further, mattress labels may be misleading. For instance, a mattress labeled firm may be too firm for some or not firm enough for another person’s needs.
For those who do not require a new medical mattress, an alternative may be to add an extra layer to their existing mattress.
Here are some of the top hospital bed mattress toppers.
This product fits on top of hospital beds. People who have pressure sores or are at risk of developing them may benefit from this hospital bed mattress topper.
The topper has 130 individually sealed air bubbles that provide durable support. It suits people who weigh up to 300 lb.
It has a pump that controls the pressure within the air bubbles. The air cycles through different levels of pressure to:
This fluid-resistant nylon mattress overlay can sustain up to 500 lb of weight.
It features 15 gel bladders covering the entire area of a person’s body that is in contact with the mattress.
This gel mattress overlay can also prevent and treat pressure ulcers.
The base is waterproof and stain-resistant.
Here we answer some common questions about these products.
The best mattresses for hospital beds include features that redistribute weight to prevent too much pressure on certain body parts. Specifically, this feature can help prevent bedsores and pressure ulcers.
Regular mattresses do not work on hospital beds due to their inflexibility. Hospital beds are adjustable with moving head and foot sections. They require more flexible mattresses, often those made from foam.
Quality hospital mattresses should last 7–10 years.
People should look for adjustable beds that make it easier to turn the individual around to reduce the risk of bed sores.
Beds that rise up may be a good option, as individuals can then sit up with help, which may be beneficial while eating.
Some mattresses may have inbuilt bedpans, which can make disposal and cleaning of bodily fluids easier.
No, hospital bed mattresses are a different size from twin mattresses.
Additionally, manufacturers design hospital beds for extended use, whereas people usually only use twin mattresses to sleep on.
Doctors recommend hospital bed mattresses for people who must remain in bed for extended periods and those at risk of developing bedsores. Traditional mattresses may not provide enough support for people with reduced mobility.
Hospital bed mattresses include foam, gel, innerspring, and air mattresses that help redistribute a person’s weight across the surface to prevent and treat pressure ulcers.
Alternatively, people can place a specialized topper on their current mattress for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.
Last medically reviewed on September 1, 2023
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