For recovery or long-term care, having a comfortable mattress for a hospital bed in the home is important for the individual. Extensive time in bed can easily cause the development of bedsores, which are extremely painful and very difficult to treat.
Using an air mattress for a hospital bed is recommended for preventing pressure ulcers and to help manage bedsores once they form. There are air mattresses that use air to alternate pressure and the loss of small amounts of air in the pockets to stimulate blood flow through the body in times of limited movement.
Mattress Overview
An air mattress for a hospital bed is not the same as a typical air mattress. Instead, these mattresses use an overlay that is filled with small air cylinders that are positioned parallel to each other.
The top options in an air mattress for a hospital bed have a pump. The pump is set to specific parameters to control the pressure and to delate or inflate the mattress as needed. As the air moves through the mattress it reduces pressure on different parts of the body, helping to reduce the weight on the pressure points for the patient and reducing the risk of developing bedsores.
Low-Air Loss
Hospital bed mattresses are typically water-resistant, making them easier to clean and maintain. Low-air loss mattresses have microscopic holes in the surface of the mattress that release tiny amounts of air on an ongoing basis. These holes and the air slowly releasing from the surface help to keep the patient cool and comfortable.
