What is the difference between a regular hospital mattress and a bariatric hospital mattress?

20 Feb.,2024

 

Due to the varying needs and preferences of bed-bound patients and people who require long-time bed rest, there are several available hospital bed mattress types. That’s why there is no need for them to compromise safety and comfort since they can have what they need. Surely, there is one suitable hospital bed mattress for any user. 

 

As the name suggests, a regular hospital mattress is for a user who doesn’t have a special need for a hospital mattress. That’s what makes a bariatric hospital mattress different from the regular one because it accommodates special needs in terms of weight. 

 

In fact, it is particularly designed with higher weight capacities. In short, it is suitable for heavier and taller patients who are vulnerable to developing bedsores and pressure ulcers. For that reason, there are no second thoughts that heavier patients must choose bariatric hospital mattresses since the regular ones have weight limits, and they probably will just encounter issues over time. 

 

Now that it is clear that the primary difference between a regular mattress and a bariatric mattress is their weight limit, let’s go back to the basics. Specifically, let’s discuss why hospital bed mattresses are a better choice for patients than regular mattresses. 

 

Why are hospital bed mattresses more beneficial for patients?

 

Compared to regular mattresses, hospital bed mattresses are created with more features to provide comfort and alleviate bedsores and pressure issues. With just adjusting functionality and size, they are truly different from each other. Ultimately, hospital bed mattresses are meant for bedridden or immobile patients who need utmost care. 

 

Without a doubt, the best hospital bed mattresses are particularly therapeutic in nature. Therefore, hospital bed mattresses are the only ones that can go hand-in-hand with hospital beds. Together, they can offer ultimate care and relief for their users. 

 

Advantages of using hospital bed mattresses

 

While there are different types of hospital bed mattresses, they share similar advantages in their core features. Some just have extra special features. Nonetheless, they include the top three advantages listed below. 

  • Pressure sore relief

 

Since hospital bed mattresses are specifically therapeutic in nature, they can provide the ideal bedsore prevention and pressure sore relief treatment. They are gold-quality features since the more the patients stay in bed, the higher the likelihood they develop discomfort. Hospital bed mattresses are meant to solve that concern. 

  • Joint control and posture support

 

Ideally, hospital bed mattresses have soft points. Users can expect soft points no matter how firm hospital bed mattresses are. It is all thanks to the special interior that allows excellent adjustability. With the soft points, immobile users and bed-ridden patients can give comfort to their bones and joints. 

 

Another worth-praising feature of hospital bed mattresses is their ability to evenly distribute the user’s weight to lessen the possibility of bed sores. More than that, hospital bed mattresses are also useful for users even when sleeping. These specialized mattresses can help correct posture issues by providing the best support. 

  • Waterproof

 

Hospital bed mattresses need cleaning since immobile users, and bed-bound patients use them most of the time. Luckily, the manufacturers are well-aware of this concern and made them waterproof. Thus, they are easy to clean and can reduce the problems of bacterial infections. Greatly, hospital bed mattresses are great in terms of sanitation, cleaning, and incontinence protection. 

 

Types of bariatric hospital mattresses

 

Since we are on the topic of bariatric hospital mattresses, let’s grab the chance and continue knowing about them.  

 

 

For people confined to their beds for extended periods, are bedridden, or have difficulty moving without assistance, lateral rotation mattresses use the lateral rotation therapy approach to give therapeutic benefits. Long periods spent in bed can expose the body to uncomfortable pressure points, which can result in pressure ulcers. 

 

Mattresses that use lateral rotation therapy are highly developed technologically. Lateral rotation mattresses frequently move the body away from the mattress to prevent the body from remaining in one position the entire time. People at risk for circulatory issues and pressure ulcers particularly benefit from it.

 

 

All sleeping types benefit from foam mattresses’ softness, support, and pressure point pain reduction. By conforming to the shape of your curves, foam mattresses equally support the body’s length. 

 

This upper comfort provides better lower back support and spine alignment during sleep, and many foam mattresses also feature motion isolation and cooling comfort layers for uninterrupted sleep. There are numerous brands, sizes, and firmness options for foam mattresses.

 

 

Bedsore prevention and treatment employ a pressure-relieving mattress called a low air loss mattress. Multiple air chambers are built into the mattress so that they alternately fill with air and deflate, causing pressure on the skin to fluctuate constantly. 

 

By altering the pressure of the surface under them, this alternating movement releases pressure from bony prominences. Bedsores can be treated and avoided by releasing the pressure on these places and allowing air to flow around and beneath them. Although there are numerous brands of minimal air loss mattresses, the mattress’s purpose never changes.

 

 

Pressure mattresses replace mattresses and give patients who can’t be moved around much alternate pressure underneath them. People susceptible to pressure sores, also known as bedsores, or undergoing treatment to treat pressure sores can benefit from utilizing an alternating pressure mattress. Various home pressure mattresses and hospital bed air mattresses are available online.

 

Are hospital bed mattresses expensive?

 

A hospital bed mattress‘ price is influenced by its size, functionality, and materials. Depending on the quality, you can generally anticipate paying anywhere from $500 and $10,000.

 

It might be less expensive to purchase a hospital mattress topper than a full one. These upgrades to existing beds typically cost between $200 and $3,000. However, they might not be the perfect choice for a chronically ill patient who is immobile.

 

Final Thoughts 

 

Both hospital and bariatric mattresses offer advantages over the other. Consider your budget, sleeping position, and other criteria, such as whether you need more cooling or little motion transmission. A regular hospital mattress may be a perfect choice if you sleep normally and has no ailments or bedsores, while a bariatric mattress is sure to keep you comfortable if you require additional pressure relief.

The best method to determine whether a regular or bariatric mattress is right for you is to choose a bed with a long sleep trial, especially if you’re considering switching from one type to another. Or, if you’re having trouble deciding, get in touch with us at AvaCare Medical. We’ll help you! Please email us here at [email protected] or call us at 1-877-813-7799. Thank you.

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