Hospital mattress

People often wonder what kind of mattress is used in a hospital and, whilst there are no fixed rules (and specifications vary from country to country), here is a general idea. Some years ago a hospital mattress was a comparatively cheap product that offered a minimal of comfort and was covered in what was often termed marble. Probably the biggest single attribute of this kind of mattress was its ability to be fully water and liquid proof, an major asset where accidental spills and leaks are an ongoing problem.

These days the kind of mattress that you are likely to find in a hospital much more closely resembles the mattresses found in many homes. These mattresses, whilst still comparatively cheap, tend to be manufactured from some form of visco elastic (memory foam) and offer the body moulding or contouring properties that are now seen as being desirable and healthy.

It is interesting to note that, whilst these mattresses are designed to be hardwearing and capable of taking a lot of rough use, they are still considerably less comfortable than a good retail mattress.

Other differences include the need for strong carrying handles, removable (usually zip) covers and welded seams. Many hospital mattresses also have provision for hinging or bending which is frequently required as a patients posture is elevated during different periods of treatment.

Most hospital mattresses are manufactured by one of the better known brand names, although the products in question will be in a medical range that is not available to the general public. The same is also true of beds used in hotels which again are available only to that specific market.

As a general rule of thumb these beds offer a good, but very basic mattress and their appearance and guarantee conditions will be markedly different from those found online and at high street retailers.