An alternating pressure mattress is a technologically advanced medical mattress that alternates pressure on the patient's body to prevent skin breakdown and provide protection from bedsores and pressure ulcers. Hospital mattress can be used both at home and in a hospital environment. HPFY offers you various alternating pressure mattress from manufacturers like Proactive Medical, Span America, Thomashilfen, and others.
Individuals who are confined to the bed for long periods of time with minimum mobility are at high risk for bedsores or pressure ulcers. Bedsores are injuries on the body caused by constant contact with the mattress. Bedsores may develop if there is frequent skin friction with the mattress or poor blood circulation because of kidney disease, diabetes, or heart conditions.
Alternate air pressure mattress is useful for not only the patient but also patient’s caregiver as they don't have to worry about constantly moving the patient in bed. Here are some of the benefits of alternating pressure mattress-
First, one cell will inflate, then deflate and then re-inflate. This same procedure is followed by an adjacent cell and so on. The up-and-down motion is very gradual, and the patient does not feel it at all. This movement continues all along with the low air loss mattress, except for the patient's head area, in a gradual wave-like motion.
How does Low Air Loss Mattress benefits-
HPFY provides alternating pressure mattress that are available in high-density foam and layered foam from top manufacturers like Comfortex Healthcare Surfaces, Invacare Corporation, Prius Healthcare USA, Drive Medical, and many others.
APM mattresses have air-filled channels that alternate filling up and decompressing to keep bearing weight off certain areas. These mattresses allows blood flow to reach different areas of the body of immobilized or weak patients who cannot shift their weight independently.
An alternating pressure mattress is advisable to be used for patients who are likely to spend more than 15 hours per day in bed or for those who are classified as medium to high risk of developing pressure ulcers, or bedsores.
People at higher risk are typically: seriously ill, immobile, have spinal cord injury, do not eat a proper diet, wear prosthesis, smoke, are incontinent of stool or urine, have diabetes, have COPD or heart failure, have Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or heart failure, have broken hip or hip surgery.
The air pressure can be adjusted using the control panel. There are buttons to adjust softness / firmness of the mattress in accordance to the needs of the patient.
Yes air cells in an APM mattress do cycle. The air-filled channels alternate from inflating to deflating to help vary the pressure and reduce the risk of pressure sores and ulcers.
The pump is very quiet. You will hear a slight hum as the air pressure alternates.
Yes, the mattress works with a hospital bed. It can be used in the sitting position as well.
Yes, the alternating pressure mattress can be used in prevention and healing of bedsores. The mattress relieves pressure from vulnerable areas so that sores do not develop. However it is still recommended that you carry out traditional further inspection of turning the patient and observing high risk areas regularly, and to not solely rely on the mattress
Before cleaning your mattress make sure to disconnect from the electrical outlet. Use a damp towel with mild soap and water to wipe down, and then dry with a soft towel. You can also wipe down with alcohol wipes or light rubbing alcohol.