Very High Risk

What is a pressure care mattress?

Anyone who spends an extended period in bed is at risk of developing pressure sores. Pressure mattresses, or sometimes called hospital mattresses, are specially constructed to relieve pressure from the user’s skin to prevent sores developing or progressing further.

They are an essential part of a care plan for a users who are at risk or have already developed pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers (also known as bed sores) result from sustained pressure applied to the skin, often occurring when a person spends long periods of time in the same position. Individuals most at risk of developing sores are those with restricted mobility or poor skin integrity. To find out more about pressure ulcers and how to manage pressure care, view our guide: The Complete Guide to Pressure Ulcers.

Depending on how at risk or the severity of the user's pressure ulcers, there are different types of support surfaces designed to accommodate varying care needs.

The different types of pressure mattresses

Depending on the user and the care environment, pressure care mattresses may be referred to in different ways, such as hospital mattresses, medical mattresses and adjustable mattresses.

In the majority of cases, these names will be referring to one of the three types of mattresses below:

Static (Foam)

Static mattresses are comprised of one or multiple specilaist foams that relieve pressure from the mattress user's skin. Lying surface castellations and internal air pockets provide additional pressure relief. Static mattresses are used to prevent pressure ulcers rather than treat them, and require the patient to be mobile or repositioned regularly on the mattress surface.

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Alternating (Air)

Alternating pressure mattresses are made up of a row of air cells that alternate to relieve pressure. Whilst every other cell is inflated to support the user, the other cells are deflated to ensure zero contact on the user's skin. The cells then alternate to redistribute pressure. Airflow mattresses are used to help treat developed sores and are used with highly immobile patients.

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Hybrid (Combination)

Hybrid mattresses are a combination of both air and foam technologies. This is usually in the form or a row of air cells inset into the body of a foam mattress. The foams maintain high levels of comfort whilst the air cells provide advanced pressure relief. Hybrid mattresses are used for users at high risk of developing pressure ulcers and who have severely restricted mobility.

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For further help on selecting the correct pressure care mattress, view our comprehensive buying guide.