Choosing the right hospital mattress isn’t an easy task because it is used by people who have special needs. The fact that there are various brands and types of hospital mattresses makes it more daunting.
Some important considerations when choosing a hospital mattress
There are three important factors to consider when choosing a hospital mattress. These factors include mattress size, budget, and the patient’s health. If you are unsure of which mattress to buy, there are more than enough customer reviews and guides that will give you an insight on what is best.
Innerspring Mattress
As earlier explained, the health of the patient has an important role to play on the choice of hospital bed. Innerspring mattresses are very popular. There is a lot of similarities in terms of features between an innerspring mattress and a regular mattress. If a patient wouldn’t be staying in bed for a long time, an innerspring mattress is recommended. It is very similar to some of the mattresses used in bedrooms. An advantage of the innerspring mattress is that it is easily adaptable.
Foam Prevention Mattress
With a foam prevention mattress, bedsores can be prevented especially if the patient has to be in bed for an extended period of time. The design of a foam mattress makes it impossible for bedsores to arise. The quality of foam mattresses vary from one manufacturer to another. Some are usually better than the others, it is all about finding out what suits your needs.
Alternating Pressure Relief and Medical Mattress
This type of mattress is recommended for patients that already have bedsores and ulcers. Its design is such that inflation and deflation of air cells is done internally so that the patient experiences a soothing feeling. What this does is to shift the way air is circulated by shifting pressure points. The unrestricted movement and circulation of air is important because a person with sore doesn’t need pressure applied to any part of the body. These sores are a consequence of extended periods in bed. If air flows through the mattress as well as it should, it will prevent the patient from sweating as well. This type of mattress is also recommended for people with delicate skin who stay in bed for a long duration. As earlier explained, bedsores and pressure ulcers can be prevented by using low air loss mattresses or alternating pressure relief mattresses. These two serve the same purpose albeit they operate differently. What a low airflow mattress does is to blow air through the spaces in the air cylinders. Through this, the skin is kept dry and it is recommended for people with tendency to sweat at night. Body comfort is also improved through the flow of air because of the pressure relief tendencies of the mattress.
Lateral Rotation Mattress
This is another option available to bedridden patients. This bed prevents bedsores and body ulcers by rotating constantly so that the patient experiences comfort and relief. This helps a bedridden patient change sides frequently so that pressure is not applied to just one part of the body.
Other factors to consider
Comfort and firmness are important considerations for getting the best hospital mattress. Without support, a patient will develop bedsores and we must guide against this. You should also think about sleeping experience and how long will be spent in bed. The way the bed is constructed is also a big factor too. You should also consider the following:
- Size of the mattress: The design of a hospital mattress makes it fit into a hospital bed. They aren’t exactly the same as the mattresses used in houses. If you opt for a mattress that you can use at home, endeavour to buy one with a cushion. The size of the mattress must be commensurate with the space available in the room. Perhaps, the most important consideration is the condition of the patient.
- Cost/Budget: Hospital mattresses are ideal for almost all healthcare facilities. As earlier stated, we can use a basic hospital mattress at home. However, it must be of impressive quality and easily adjustable. Regardless, of the quality of a hospital mattress, you must have an idea of how much you are willing and able to spend. If it is a basic innerspring mattress, the price range is usually about $100. If you want a high-quality bariatric mattress, you should be ready to pay more because they cost about $6000. A high quality hospital mattress saves you money in the long run. Their design is such that a patient experiences comfort even if they already developed pressure ulcers. The durability of a high-quality mattress is incomparable too. You could also engage a manufacturer to produce a hospital bed based on your specification; it all depends on the size of your pocket. Cost of delivery and shipping should also form a part of your financial consideration. Also, warranty and return are important aspects to know.