Finding the correct medical mattress for a care home or hospital is a crucial component of implementing a care policy that truly looks after the comfort and long-term care of patients and residents. Understanding what makes a mattress both safe and comfortable is vital. The wrong level of comfort can cause problems for a patient or resident, and you also must consider levels of hygiene protection and other factors that go into the care of the patient each day. 

Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of what makes a medical mattress the best choice for a care home or hospital, and how to make the correct choice for your needs.

Assess the needs of your patients or residents

Before you choose the correct medical mattress, you must first look at the specific needs of the patients and residents that you have. Do the majority of your patients have limited mobility, or is there a short-term need for beds with a high turnover of patients? Is there a requirement for frequent repositioning of patients, and does the mattress need to be one that promotes better circulation to assist with pressure sores and ulcers?

Types of hospital bed mattresses

There are a few different types of medical mattresses, each with different features and benefits that are suitable for unique scenarios in medical situations.

• Air mattresses – Fully adjustable, customisable firmness and air flow that helps with pressure ulcers and sores, air mattresses are perfect for long-term patients with mobility issues. They can be noisy when combined with the wider bedframe and the requirement for air pumps to keep the circulation moving.

• Hybrid mattresses – Combining foam support and the flexibility of an air mattress, a hybrid mattress provides good levels of pressure relief and support to the patient’s body. Suitable for a wide range of medical needs and comfort levels.
• Alternating pressure mattresses – The air cells in these mattresses inflate and deflate periodically, which helps to reduce prolonged pressure on specific parts of the body, thus helping to reduce the instances of pressure ulcers.
• Gel mattresses – Gel beads are incorporated into the mattress, helping to regulate temperature and offering a cooler surface to sleep on. They are also great at helping to better distribute weight, for good pressure relief.
• Foam mattresses – Foam mattresses are designed to contour perfectly with the body, helping to effectively alleviate pressure points. Common types of foam mattresses include polyurethane foam, latex foam, memory foam, and gel-infused foam. 

Finding the correct medical mattress for your care home or hospital makes a massive difference to the care and treatment that you can provide to long-term residents and patients. The mattress manufacturing process for medical mattresses is different to the processes that are required for a domestic mattress or bedding that is manufactured for contract bedding to be used in hotels, hostels, and short-term accommodation properties. Finding a manufacturer of medical mattresses that matches your requirements and helps you to take care of your patients and residents while meeting strict regulatory standards will help you to make your residential care home or hospital a success.

Yesenia Butler