Mattresses may be one of the most underrated health care devices in the health care industry. You do a little research, talk to friends, look at prices and visit a few stores. Inevitably you are probably going to rely on several sources and in a matter of minutes decide on a device that will be used every night for the next five to ten years! One could conclude that the decision is short-sighted but how else is one to decide? That’s why we are going to dedicate this blog to finding out what is in the design and manufacturing of a mattress. Specifically, hospital mattresses since that is our industry. What makes a hospital bed mattress different? What should you look for and what sort of questions should you ask? We are talking about the mattress that comes with the bed that you are renting (or buying) for an aging parent or someone that is bedridden; someone whom you love and want to be as comfortable as possible.

  

Unless people have had prior experience with a hospital bed, they rarely ask about mattress quality when renting. If they are purchasing a hospital bed or a Flex-a-Bed (our upgraded hospital bed system) they are more inclined to inquire.

Now don’t let me lead you to believe that it is all about the mattress. The bed frame does play a significant role. For example, most hospital beds use a spring system in the bed frame to support mattress and patient.  Not a good combination. Over time the springs stretch, or even break. This leads to patients/clients complaining about the mattress sagging. It could be the mattress; but the root cause of the sagging may be a bad or busted spring system in the bed itself. Affordable Medical Equipment does not rent or sell spring systems. Our hospital bed frames use a steel cross section approach for the frame, guaranteeing years of solid and dependable support. For those looking for a higher end hospital bed, our Flex-a-Bed Hi-Lo system uses a two-inch foundation profile, high-density, heavy duty padded base made with Advantech material that will not warp, break, or squeak.

 

A Bin of foam. This is how it arrives at the factory.

  

But this article is about mattresses, and they are not all created equal. Some are innerspring, some polyurethane foam, some memory foam. Some are a combination of two or even three of the different materials. Some might even include a gel section. The purpose of a good hospital bed is to resist gravity; not give to it. A Prius mattress is built to comfortably resist gravity, thereby supporting more body area delivering healthier support. A poor-quality mattress allows the body to sink (gravity) thereby exposing less body area to support. In the end this can lead to many health issues, not the least of which is pressure sores.

Today we are going to talk about foam mattresses primarily. Almost all hospital bed mattresses are going to be mostly foam. The quality and density of the foam makes all the difference. A typical cover has good viscoelasticity, is highly tear resistant, anti-static, flame-retardant, non-absorbing, waterproof and cleanable.

We have been in the hospital bed business for many years, and we believe Prius Healthcare USA is a premier manufacturer of bed mattresses. Prius foam mattresses are a low to high-risk system for patients who are at risk of developing stage 1,2 and single site state 3 pressure ulcers. Prius foam mattresses can also be used for patients who already have an existing stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 pressure ulcers. They are made from high density, highly resilient foam.

Prius has four different mattresses that differ in layers, density, and purpose. One of the strongest attributes of the Prius series is that all foam is manufactured in the U.S. Believe it or not there is a huge difference in the foam manufactured in our country when compared to foams that come from overseas. Foam manufactured here in North America is a far superior product - maintaining density, form, and strength years longer than comparable overseas products. That is value – and comfort!

 

ALX

The ALX is a basic dual layer foam mattress with a nylon cover and vinyl base cover. It measures 36x80x6.

 

DLX

The next step up in the Prius line is the DLX – a dual layer foam replacement mattress. The DLX has a zoned, contoured comfort foam top layer and an all-important heel soft foam foot section. The foot section of a mattress is just as important as other parts of the mattress in that pressure sores and ulcers can form there also. It has a nylon top and vinyl base cover. The DLX has optional raised side rails with ingress/regress cut outs – an excellent solution if you fear your client may roll out of the bed but at the same time do need to get in and out of the bed. Available sizes are 36x76, 80 or 84. The DLX is also 6 inches deep. Custom sizes are available.

  

RLX

The RLX is like the DLX but with some important upgrades. It also is a dual layer foam replacement mattress with a zone/contoured comfort foam top layer. The foot section is upgraded to a visco elastic foam which provides greater comfort and coolness to the ankle and foot sections – a noticeable improvement. The RLX has full-length firm side rails, a wonderful addition if you want that peace of mind that comes from knowing your client is more secure in their bed. Instead of a nylon top cover there is a urethane 4-way stretch top cover which is going to provide greater comfort and more importantly a drier and cooler surface. The base cover is vinyl and again, you do have the optional raised side rails with the ingress/egress cut outs. The sizes are 36x76, 80 or 84 inches and is also 6 inches deep. There is a 42-inch width available for bariatric sizes. All mattresses are available in custom sizes.

VLX

Finally, the VLX is a top-of-the-line mattress that brings together all the parameters of comfort, support, and superior design. It is a tri-layered mattress system that has a full cool visco elastic foam top layer and a zoned middle layer comfort foam and heel soft foam foot section. The visco foam top accomplishes two beneficial health objectives – it provides better full body support and two, provides a cool surface for the body. The VLX has full length firm side rails and a urethane 4-way stretch top cover (as compared to the nylon) and a vinyl base cover. It also has the optional raised side rails with ingress/egress cut outs if needed. It comes in standard lengths of 36x76 or 36x80 and 36x84. Bariatric sizes are available in 42- or 48-inch width. All Prius mattresses are available in custom sizes.

The viscoelasticity of the RLX and VLX mattress systems play a crucial role in functionality of hospital beds, particularly in the mattresses. The effects of viscoelasticity on shear (or patient slide in opposite directions) in a hospital bed are important for patient comfort, pressure sore prevention, and overall well-being. Here are some of the key effects and considerations related to viscoelasticity in a hospital bed:

1. Pressure redistribution: Hospital bed mattresses with viscoelastic properties are designed to distribute pressure evenly across a patient's body. The surface breathes, providing greater comfort and safety. Viscoelastic foam contours to the shape of the patient, reducing peak pressure points. This is especially important for patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers or bedsores, as it minimizes shear forces at the skin-mattress interface.

2. Shear reduction: Viscoelastic materials can help reduce shear forces experienced by the patient. Shear occurs when different body parts move in opposite directions, such as when a patient slides down in bed. By conforming to the body and reducing friction between the patient's skin and the mattress surface, viscoelastic materials can minimize shear forces and reduce the risk of skin damage.

3. Comfort and support: Viscoelastic foams in hospital bed mattresses offer comfort and support to patients. The foam responds to the body's contours, relieving pressure on sensitive areas like the heels, hips, and shoulders. This enhanced comfort helps patients get better rest, which is essential for their recovery and overall well-being.

4. Motion isolation: In cases where there are multiple patients in the same room viscoelastic materials are much quieter alternative to regular foam.

5. Durability and maintenance: Viscoelastic foams used in hospital beds are often durable and long-lasting, especially if it is domestic foam like the Prius mattress systems. They can withstand repeated compressions and shear forces without losing their effectiveness. This durability is crucial for maintaining patient comfort and support over an extended period.

6. Customization: Prius can customize virtually any hospital mattress system. They have a deep bench of industry experience and development. They are small enough to work closely with any sized customer yet big enough to mass produce and ship.

Affordable Medical Equipment takes your comfort, safety, and health very seriously. We work tirelessly to find the best products at the best prices for you and your family. We don’t skimp. We’re not always the least expensive option but do offer what we feel are the best alternatives. Our showroom is full of products for mobility, daily assistance aids, incontinence, seating, ramp systems, stairlifts, elevators, bathroom aids and much more.  We are at 1812 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia, SC.  You can call us at 803-926-1493 or visit our website at www.affordablemedicalusa.com Local service with a national reach.