If you have a hospital bed or intend to acquire one at home, you have to think about selecting sheets for the mattress.
The size of a hospital bed mattress is different from a queen-size, king-size, or twin-size mattress. Usually, the dimension of a hospital bed mattress is 36 inches wide x 80 inches long. The sleep surface of some mattresses can be extended to 84 inches. Bariatric hospital beds have wider surfaces. However, the rule is for you to measure the mattress before getting sheets.
It is important to state that twin sheets do not fit twin hospital mattresses. The dimension of a twin-size regular bed mattress is 39 x 75 inches.
A twin XL sheet will be needed to fit a hospital bed mattress. They are often referred to as extended-twin or extra-long twin.
Fitted for Hospital Bed Sheets
For the sheet to fit the mattress perfectly, it must be measured. Without this, comfort cannot be guaranteed for the patient and caregiver. The fitted sheet cannot be stretched if it is too short. If the fitted sheet is too long, it will be uneasy to tuck in under the hospital bed’s mattress. The length of a sheet should be moderate. If it is too long, it poses danger to the patient and caregiver due to the possibility of a trip.
The dimension of a twin extra-long fitted sheet is 39 inches wide by 80 inches long. The fit of the fitted sheet is also determined by the depth of the mattress. The depth of the majority of hospital bed mattresses is 6 inches. However, there are some thicker ones.
The depth of the mattress can be increased by using a foam topper or gel cover over it. There will however be a need for a deeper pocket or corner on the fitted sheet. With a good foam topper, an extra two or more inches of depth can be created. This helps to account for the placement of a fitted sheet on the mattress.
It is best to have an idea of the depth of the mattress before a sheet is chosen. This also includes the depth of the gel cover or foam topper.
Therefore, to determine the size of sheet you need, you should measure the hospital bed mattress and add the depth or thickness of any topper.