Hospital Bed Air Mattresses with Pressure Relief

Air mattresses in hospitals are therapeutic support surfaces used to prevent pressure injuries, manage moisture, and treat existing stage 1 through stage 4 pressure ulcers. They utilize motorized pumps or internal air chambers to cycle pressure beneath vulnerable bony prominences, facilitate patient immersion, manage skin microclimate, and assist nursing staff with patient repositioning and bed ingress or egress.

Alternating pressure therapy inflates and deflates alternating sets of air cells on timed cycles, shifting pressure points across the body to encourage blood flow. Low air loss therapy circulates continuous air through vapor-permeable covers to dissipate heat and moisture, managing skin microclimate. Many advanced systems, including the Century Gold and Rhythm Multi, combine both therapies on a single mattress surface.

Systems utilize distinct fail-safe technologies during power outages. Models like the Enhance RDX and Salute RDX employ cell-in-cell designs with static bottom air bladders that remain inflated. Other systems, such as the Duet, DynaFlow, and Rhythm series, integrate a 2-inch convoluted foam base or closed pneumatic valves that hold air to maintain patient support and prevent bottoming out.

Fragile heels require dedicated offloading due to minimal soft tissue. Several mattress systems feature zoned heel protection: the Rhythm Multi and Rhythm Multi Plus offer Happy Heel technology with 3 selectable softness settings across the end air cells, the Salute RDX includes Happy Feet softness zones, and the MOXI Fusion XC incorporates sloped multi-density foam.

The mattress systems accommodate user weights ranging from standard 300 to 350 lb capacities up to bariatric ratings. Systems such as the Salute RDX and MOXI Select Air MAX+ support up to 500 lbs, the Ultra Convertible supports 600 lbs, the Duet supports 700 lbs, while the Century Gold, MOXI Bari Select Air, DynaFlow, and Rhythm systems support up to 750 or 1,000 lbs.

When a hospital bed frame is raised into an upright Fowler position, patient weight concentrates heavily on the sacral area. Systems equipped with Fowler Mode, such as the MOXI eMotion, Duet, and DynaFlow, detect frame angle changes or activate pressure boosts. This adds focused air pressure to the seat section, preventing bottoming out while preserving clinical therapy.