Medical mattress overlays, also referred to as hospital bed mattress toppers, are designed to increase comfort, enhance circulation and help prevent bedsores. A medical mattress overlay is highly recommended as part of treatment for those temporarily or permanently bedridden due to illness or injury; one common side effect of being bedridden can be bed sores which a medical mattress overlay can help with through both prevention and management of pressure ulcers or bedsores.
Rehabmart provides an impressive selection of medical mattress overlays from leading brands like ROHO, Star Cushions and Drive Medical, designed with quality and comfort in mind; featuring gel foam or air pockets to maximize sleeping experiences of patients suffering from various medical conditions.
Alternating pressure mattress overlays utilize an alternating system of air cells that inflate and deflate to deliver unparalleled pressure reduction, moisture control and risk of infection reduction. Furthermore, these mattress covers can be adjusted to a firm setting to facilitate turning and positioning patients as well as decrease back, shoulder and wrist injuries in caregivers.
Foam mattress overlays are an old-school option that uses cubes that correspond anatomically with various body areas, evenly dispersing weight across your frame. These medical mattress overlays conform to your contours while relieving pressure off bony areas while decreasing shear forces that pull or tear soft tissue.
Convoluted foam hospital mattress overlays offer enhanced support and durability, which makes them the ideal solution for those experiencing chronic back or neck pain, spinal cord injury or muscle problems. Furthermore, these medical mattress covers feature a layer of gel to increase comfort and relieve pressure from sensitive areas like heels and elbows.
Researchers conducted a recent clinical study assessing the impact of foam and gel hospital bed overlays in skilled nursing facility residents who are at risk of pressure ulcers, with both types significantly decreasing incidence compared to traditional foam mattresses. Their results demonstrated significant decreases in pressure ulcers among those exposed.
Some powered and non-powered medical mattress overlays include a lateral rotation feature which rotates a patient up to 40deg on an ongoing schedule, shifting load distribution among multiple areas of their body. This alternating pressure system may also include an auto firm feature which rapidly hyper-inflates air cells or baffles of the mattress or overlay to act like rollers, making turning and repositioning less frequent and decreasing potential caregiver injuries. These systems may also incorporate low air loss technology, which increases breathability of mattress surface and decreases moisture buildup between user skin and hospital bed overlay. This feature is essential in preventing skin breakdown.