Pressure-Relief & Specialty Mattresses for Pressure Injury Prevention
Pressure-relief and specialty mattresses for acute care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and home-care distributors - non-powered foam redistribution mattresses, powered alternating pressure systems, low-air-loss platforms and lateral-rotation surfaces. Lines include Drive Medical, Medline, Invacare, Span-America Geo-Mattress and Joerns Bio Clinic. Available in standard 36-inch, bariatric expanded-width and pediatric sizes with sealed fluid-proof covers, CPR-release valves and rated weight capacities from standard to bariatric. Wholesale case pricing for materials management and capital equipment procurement.
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Pressure-Relief and Specialty Mattress Systems
Pressure-relief mattresses redistribute interface pressure over a wider body contact area to lower sustained loading at bony prominences. The category spans non-powered engineered-foam surfaces through powered air systems that cycle pressure automatically. These surfaces are stocked as replacement mattresses that sit on the bed frame in place of a standard hospital mattress.
Mattress Types Stocked
The catalog groups pressure-relief mattresses by construction and power source.
- Non-powered foam redistribution mattresses - Multi-zone high-density foam surfaces that spread load without a pump. Includes castellated (cut-foam) tops, dual-layer foam over a firm base, and heel-zone constructions. Lines include Drive Medical, Medline Advantage and Span-America Geo-Mattress.
- Gel and hybrid foam mattresses - Foam surfaces with an integrated gel layer for added envelopment at high-load areas, stocked as full replacement mattresses.
- Alternating pressure (AP) systems - Powered air mattresses with a bedside pump that inflates and deflates alternating cell banks on a set cycle so the loaded area shifts over time. Includes standard-cell and multi-stage low-air-loss combination units.
- Low-air-loss systems - Powered surfaces that circulate air through microperforated cells to manage heat and moisture at the skin interface in addition to redistributing pressure.
- Lateral-rotation surfaces - Powered systems that tilt the patient from side to side on a programmed cycle.
- Bariatric mattresses - Expanded-width foam and powered surfaces with higher rated weight capacities and reinforced covers, available with matching bariatric frames.
Pressure-Relief Mattress Types Compared
| Type | Power | Construction | Common Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam redistribution | Non-powered | Multi-zone or multi-layer high-density foam | 36 x 80, 42 x 80, 48 x 80 |
| Gel / hybrid foam | Non-powered | Foam with integrated gel zone | 36 x 80 standard |
| Alternating pressure | Powered pump | Cycling air cell banks | 36 x 80, bariatric widths |
| Low-air-loss | Powered pump | Microperforated air cells | 36 x 80, bariatric widths |
| Lateral rotation | Powered pump | Programmed side-to-side tilt | 36 x 80, bariatric widths |
Alternating Pressure and Low-Air-Loss Technology
Alternating pressure systems use a bedside pump to inflate one set of air cells while deflating the adjacent set, so the area under load changes on a timed cycle rather than staying fixed. Low-air-loss adds a continuous low-volume airflow through microperforations in the cell surface, which draws heat and moisture away from the skin interface. Combination units offer both modes plus a firm setting for transfers and CPR.
Pressure-relief surfaces are the highest-value line in a pressure injury prevention program and the tier most closely tracked by risk-management and quality teams. Facilities typically standardize on one non-powered foam surface for general beds and one powered system tier for higher-acuity beds. Order at the best Wholesale Prices with MAP Medical.
Browse Related Categories
Pressure-relief mattresses pair with stretcher pads and support surface overlays for procedural areas and add-on upgrades, and with mattress covers, frames and accessories for replacement covers and pump units. Browse the full support surfaces and mattresses catalog or the mobility and durable medical equipment catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a foam and an alternating pressure mattress?
A foam redistribution mattress is non-powered and spreads pressure through the shape and density of its foam layers. An alternating pressure mattress is powered by a bedside pump that inflates and deflates air cells on a cycle so the loaded area shifts over time. Foam surfaces need no electricity and are quiet; powered systems actively change the pressure pattern and are stocked for higher-acuity beds.
What is low-air-loss and how does it differ from alternating pressure?
Low-air-loss circulates a continuous low volume of air through microperforated cells to move heat and moisture away from the skin interface. Alternating pressure cycles inflation between cell banks to change the loaded area. Many powered mattresses in the catalog combine both modes in a single system, and combination units also include a static firm setting for transfers.
Are bariatric pressure-relief mattresses available?
Yes. Foam and powered specialty mattresses are stocked in expanded bariatric widths with higher rated weight capacities and reinforced covers. Matching bariatric bed frames and fluid-proof covers are available in the same widths. Standard mattresses are typically 36 inches wide, with bariatric widths at 42 and 48 inches.
Can hospitals and nursing facilities order pressure-relief mattresses in bulk?
Yes. Pressure-relief and specialty mattresses are stocked in unit and case quantities for hospitals, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, rehabilitation units and licensed home-care distributors. Standing order programs are available for replacement covers and high-turnover foam surfaces. Contact our procurement team for tiered pricing and capital equipment quotes.
What pressure-relief mattresses should be in a facility formulary?
A facility formulary typically includes a non-powered multi-zone foam mattress as the standard-issue surface, a powered alternating pressure or low-air-loss system for higher-acuity and existing-injury beds, a bariatric surface for expanded-width frames, and a stock of replacement fluid-proof covers and pump units. MAP Medical builds consolidated support surface packages matched to bed count and program tier - contact our team for an assessment.