Terminology - Specialty Beds, Mattresses & Overlays

Specialty beds, mattresses & overlays are also referred to by other terms, such as:

Product Terminology

Overlay
An overlay is a therapeutic surface that attaches on top of your original mattress (on your bed frame).

Common therapies:

Important safety considerations:

Mattress Replacement
A mattress replacement is placed on the bed frame, replacing the original hospital mattress.

Common therapies:

A mattress is generally safer than an overlay, and the therapy offered is more advanced because a deeper, thicker mattress allows for greater patient immersion down in to the surface.

Air flotation bed
Air flotation beds offer the same choice of therapies as mattress replacements (see above). These units provide a therapeutic surface integrated with a critical care bed frame or a medical/surgical bed frame, most commonly with an integrated scale function.

Therapy and Equipment Terminology

Low Air Loss
The therapy derived from a continuous flow of air coming from the top of a therapeutic surface.  The air flow to a patient’s skin can assist in the prevention of wound formation and/or contribute to wound healing.  Low air loss therapy assists in controlling skin maceration, defined as the accumulation of heat and moisture between the patient’s skin and the sleep surface.  Skin maceration, in addition to pressure, friction, and shear, mechanically weakens the skin.  True low air loss occurs when a volume of air passes through the fabric on the surface of the mattress to allow a patient’s skin to breathe.


Alternating Pressure
Alternating pressure offers a frequency of movement and pressure change within the surface.  A common therapeutic surface design is constructed of 16 to 20 air cells; alternating pressure will inflate every other one of those cells (A cells), while the remaining cells (B cells) inflate to 50% - 85% of the desired A cell inflation.  The inflation cycle changes, automatically alternating between A and B cell sets.  Alternating pressure cycles will vary in inflation differential and cycle time (2 to 20 minutes) based on the product.


Pulsation
Pulsation changes the air pressure in a therapeutic surface by increasing, then subsequently decreasing the pressure in the air cells during each cycle.  Pulsation pressure changes may vary 10% - 30% from initial programmed static pressure, and cycle times commonly range from 2 to 20 minutes, varying by product.  A subtle, sine-wave type of movement typically originates at the foot end and moves to the head end as the pulsation pressures change.  Pulsation is not the same as alternating pressure.


Rotation
Rotation, in certain instances, may also be referred to,:


Rotation is particularly useful for patients requiring frequent turning or repositioning, and is an important component of treatment and prevention of complications associated with immobility, such as pneumonia and atelectasis.  Degree and frequency are programmable (commonly 5 - 40 degree turn, 5 minute – 2 hour cycle), varying by product. 


Percussion
Percussion, when used with rotation, aids in the mobilization of pulmonary secretions.  Indications are acute pulmonary complications, such as pneumonia and atelectasis. 


Zones
Therapeutic surfaces commonly offer 1 to 5 zones.  A single zone surface will provide uniform air pressures throughout, while a multi-zone surface can offer a different air pressure in each zone.  5 zones will contour more closely to a patient’s body than 1 zone, allowing the profile of the surface to more closely match that of the patient.  Multiple zones allow more air pressure to be placed where it is needed for support, and less pressure where the surface should be softer. 


Air Fluidized Therapy
An air fluidized bed passes air through a volume of microspheres (also referred to as beads or sand), to create the characteristics of fluid.  When the bed is fluidizing, the patient floats freely on a buoyant surface.  Air fluidized therapy offers surface interface pressures and friction/shear reduction capabilities superior to other types of therapy surfaces.


Bariatric Equipment
Bariatrics is a branch of medicine for the morbidly obese.  Bariatric equipment is specifically designed to handle heavy patients, commonly weighing in the range of 300 lbs. to over 1,000 lbs. The equipment functions in a fashion that enables the staff to provide care that is safe and dignified for the patient and the caregiver.  Risk management is an important consideration in design and functionality.