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Alternating Pressure Mattress for Home Use: Who Actually Needs One (And Who Doesn’t)

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Dave D.

Health & Medical Writer
Written & Researched

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Kyle S.

Hospital Bed Expert
Editor & Commentary

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Naheed Ali, MD

Physician
Fact Checker

Quick Summary

Alternating pressure mattresses use air bladders connected to an electric pump that cyclically inflates and deflates on 5-10 minute cycles, periodically eliminating pressure at contact points. The PRESSURE 2 randomized controlled trial of 2,029 patients found alternating pressure mattresses performed only marginally better than high-specification foam for pressure injury prevention. Alternating pressure therapy is specifically indicated for fully immobile patients with existing Stage 2+ wounds or Braden scores below 13. Budget overlay pads ($50-$300) differ significantly from full replacement systems ($2,999+) with 18 independent air bladders. Most home care patients benefit more from quality reactive foam or hybrid mattresses for prevention.

David’s mother hadn’t been out of bed in three weeks. A fall and subsequent hip surgery left her largely immobile, and the wound care nurse who visited their home flagged something alarming: a Stage 2 pressure injury forming on her sacrum, despite the foam mattress overlay David had purchased from a medical supply store just days earlier.

“You need alternating pressure,” the nurse told him. David typed “alternating pressure mattress for home use” into his phone that night and found hundreds of options ranging from $50 overlay pads to $3,000+ full replacement systems. No one explained which he actually needed, or whether his mother even required alternating pressure at all.

If you’re in David’s position, this guide will give you the answers the product pages skip. We’ll walk through exactly how alternating pressure mattresses work, who genuinely needs one based on the largest clinical trials ever conducted on these devices, and how to choose the right pressure relief mattress for your family member’s actual situation.

Looking for expert guidance on the right mattress for your loved one’s care needs? SonderCare’s mattress collection includes options for every risk level, from pressure-redistributing foam to medical-grade alternating pressure systems, with specialists available to help you choose.


How Does an Alternating Pressure Mattress Work?

An alternating pressure mattress uses rows of air-filled cells (called bladders) connected to an electric pump. The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel classifies these as “active support surfaces” because they change their load distribution properties independent of the patient’s weight or movement.1 The pump inflates and deflates alternating sets of bladders on a timed cycle, typically every five to twelve minutes. When one set of cells deflates, pressure on the skin above those cells drops to near zero. When they reinflate, the adjacent cells deflate, shifting the pressure point to a new area.

This cyclic inflation and deflation achieves something fundamentally different from what a foam mattress does. A high-quality foam or hybrid mattress is a “reactive” or “static” surface: it redistributes pressure by allowing the body to sink into it (immersion) and conforming to its shape (envelopment), spreading body weight across a larger area.1 The pressure at any single point is lower, but it’s constant. An alternating air mattress periodically eliminates pressure at specific points, allowing blood to flow freely to tissue that was previously compressed.

Think of it this way: a foam mattress turns a heavy load into a lighter, evenly distributed one. An alternating pressure mattress lifts the load entirely for brief periods, then sets it down somewhere else.

Two Types: Overlay vs. Full Replacement

Alternating pressure systems come in two main configurations:

  • Overlay pads sit on top of an existing mattress. They’re typically 3″ to 5″ thick with smaller air cells. Most budget options ($50-$300) fall into this category.
  • Full replacement mattresses replace your existing mattress entirely. They feature larger, deeper air bladders (often 8″ to 10″ thick), more sophisticated pump systems, and greater weight capacity. Premium systems like the SonderCare Alternating Pressure Air Mattress ($2,999 for standard, $3,999 for extra wide) use 18 independent air bladders with a dedicated pump system designed specifically for wound care and pressure sore treatment.

The difference matters. A thin overlay pad on a bottomed-out foam mattress may not provide enough pressure relief for a high-risk individual. International guidelines confirm that a full replacement surface is necessary if the base mattress cannot provide adequate immersion, or if the patient is at higher risk or has existing wounds requiring more aggressive pressure redistribution.2


Who Actually Needs an Alternating Pressure Mattress? What the Research Says

Here’s the finding that changes how you should think about this decision: the largest randomized controlled trial ever conducted on alternating pressure mattresses found that for prevention, they perform only marginally better than a good foam mattress.

The PRESSURE 2 trial, published in Health Technology Assessment in 2019, enrolled 2,029 high-risk patients across 42 facilities in the United Kingdom.3 Patients were randomized to receive either an alternating pressure mattress (APM) or a high-specification foam mattress (HSFM). The results surprised many clinicians:

  • Overall pressure injury rate: Just 7.9% of participants developed new pressure injuries of Stage 2 or higher.
  • APM group: 6.9% developed pressure injuries.
  • HSFM group: 8.9% developed pressure injuries.
  • The difference was small and not statistically significant.3

However, a broader 2021 Cochrane network meta-analysis that pooled data across multiple trials found a more meaningful effect: alternating pressure air surfaces reduced pressure ulcer incidence compared with foam surfaces, with a risk ratio of 0.63 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.93), translating to roughly 39 fewer pressure injuries per 1,000 patients.4 The certainty of this evidence was rated “low,” meaning the true effect could be somewhat larger or smaller than observed.

So who does need alternating pressure therapy? The PRESSURE 2 data pointed to specific subgroups where APMs showed a clearer benefit: patients who were completely bedfast, unable to give consent (indicating severe cognitive or physical impairment), or had existing skin redness suggesting early tissue damage.3 In other words, alternating pressure is a treatment tool for the most vulnerable patients, not a blanket prevention strategy for everyone.

The Decision Framework: Prevention vs. Treatment

Based on the PRESSURE 2 findings and current clinical practice guidelines from the EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA and the Wound Healing Society,25 here’s a practical framework:

A high-quality pressure-redistributing foam or hybrid mattress is appropriate when your family member:
– Can shift their weight at least partially on their own
– Has no existing pressure injuries
– Has a Braden Scale score above 14 (moderate risk or lower)
– Needs long-term comfort alongside pressure prevention
– Shares a room where pump noise would disrupt sleep

An alternating pressure mattress is indicated when your family member:
– Is completely immobile and cannot reposition at all
– Has existing Stage 2 or higher pressure injuries that are worsening
– Has failed to improve on a foam mattress despite a comprehensive care plan
– Is under active wound care supervision
– Has a Braden Scale score below 12 (very high risk)6

This distinction matters enormously, because an alternating pressure mattress is not simply a “better” version of a foam mattress. It’s a different therapeutic tool with specific indications, and it comes with tradeoffs in comfort, noise, and cost that aren’t worth accepting if your loved one doesn’t genuinely need it.


Signs Your Loved One Needs Alternating Pressure (Not Just a Better Mattress)

Linda’s husband Robert, 81, has Parkinson’s disease and spends 20 or more hours a day in bed. Despite Linda’s diligent repositioning every two hours, daily skin checks, and a quality foam mattress, she noticed a persistent red area on his left hip that wouldn’t fade. Their home health nurse assessed the spot as a Stage 1 pressure injury and recommended escalating to an alternating pressure system.

Robert’s situation illustrates the clinical signals that point toward alternating pressure therapy:

Red flags that suggest a foam mattress isn’t enough:

  1. Non-blanchable redness that persists for more than 30 minutes after repositioning, especially over bony prominences like the sacrum, heels, or hips.2
  2. Existing pressure injuries (Stage 2 or higher) that aren’t healing despite proper wound care, nutrition, and repositioning.
  3. Complete immobility where the person cannot shift their weight independently, even slightly. The Braden Scale mobility subscale score of “very limited” or “completely immobile” is a strong indicator.6
  4. Multiple high-risk factors stacking together: immobility plus incontinence plus poor nutrition plus circulatory problems. Each factor compounds the risk exponentially. In the United States alone, pressure injuries cost the healthcare system more than $26.8 billion annually, with the most severe cases costing upwards of $120,000 per episode to treat.7
  5. Bottoming out on current mattress: If you place your hand palm-up under the mattress beneath a bony prominence and can feel the bone through the mattress, the surface isn’t providing adequate support.8

If none of these apply to your family member, a properly selected pressure relief mattress (foam or hybrid) combined with a consistent repositioning schedule is likely the right approach. The research supports this. If one or more of these red flags are present, it’s time to discuss alternating pressure therapy with your loved one’s care team.

Need help assessing which mattress type fits your situation? SonderCare’s care specialists can walk you through the options based on your family member’s specific risk factors. Speak with a SonderCare expert for personalized guidance.


Choosing the Right Pressure Relief Mattress: The Full Spectrum

One of the least-discussed realities in home care equipment is that the gap between a basic foam mattress and a full alternating pressure system is enormous. Most families don’t realize there’s a spectrum of options designed for different risk levels. Understanding this spectrum helps you match the right solution to your loved one’s actual needs.

Tier 1: Pressure-Redistributing Foam ($800-$1,000)

For individuals at low to moderate risk who can partially reposition themselves. These mattresses use visco-elastic memory foam and cooling gel layers to distribute body weight across a larger surface area, reducing peak pressure at bony prominences.

The SonderCare Comfort Mattress ($899) represents this tier. It features visco memory foam construction with cooling gel technology for temperature regulation, plus a fluid-proof cover for incontinence protection. This is the right choice for someone who spends part of the day in bed but can still shift their weight, and who has no existing pressure injuries.

Tier 2: Advanced Foam & Hybrid ($1,200-$1,800)

For individuals at moderate risk or those who need both pressure redistribution and superior comfort for extended bed time. These mattresses combine multiple foam densities, reversible firmness options, or hybrid coil-and-foam construction for enhanced support and pressure reduction.

The SonderCare Dream Bamboo Quilt-Top ($1,299) offers a bamboo quilt-top surface with reversible soft/firm sides and cooling gel, while the SonderCare Signature Hybrid ($1,799) combines hundreds of individually wrapped pocket coils with high-density orthopedic foam and a copper-infused antimicrobial cover. Both provide significantly more pressure redistribution than basic hospital foam and can serve patients who spend 12 or more hours a day in bed without existing skin breakdown.

Tier 3: Alternating Pressure Air ($2,500-$4,000+)

For individuals at very high risk or those with existing pressure injuries requiring active wound care. These are therapeutic devices, not comfort mattresses. They use powered pump systems to cyclically inflate and deflate air bladders, periodically eliminating pressure at contact points.

The SonderCare Alternating Pressure Air Mattress ($2,999 standard / $3,999 extra wide) is engineered with 18 independent air bladders and a dedicated pump system. This is a wound care device for patients who are completely immobile, who have Stage 2 or higher pressure injuries, or who have failed to improve on foam-based solutions. It replaces the existing mattress entirely and is designed to work with SonderCare’s hospital bed frames.

Why the Tier Matters

Choosing the wrong tier in either direction creates problems. An alternating pressure mattress used for a patient who only needs foam introduces unnecessary noise, discomfort from the alternating sensation, and significant cost. A basic foam mattress used for a patient with active wounds and total immobility provides inadequate pressure relief and risks worsening the injury.

The PRESSURE 2 trial confirmed this: for prevention in high-risk patients, a high-specification foam mattress works nearly as well as alternating pressure.3 Interestingly, the same trial’s economic analysis found that when alternating pressure is indicated, APMs had a 99% probability of being cost-effective at a threshold of GBP 20,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, with lower overall costs and better outcomes than foam for those patients who genuinely needed active therapy.9 Alternating pressure earns its place when prevention has failed and treatment is the goal.


What to Look for in an Alternating Pressure Mattress for Home Use

If your loved one’s care team has determined that alternating pressure therapy is appropriate, here’s what separates a quality system from the budget options that often cause more problems than they solve.

Bladder Count and Size

Budget overlay pads typically have 20 to 22 small, thin air cells. Premium full-replacement systems use fewer but larger, deeper bladders, often 16 to 20, that provide more meaningful pressure offloading. Deeper bladders allow for greater inflation differential between the “up” and “down” cycles, which translates to more complete pressure elimination at each contact point.1

Pump Quality and Noise

This is the most underappreciated factor for home use. In a hospital, pump noise blends into the ambient environment. In a bedroom where a spouse is trying to sleep, a loud pump cycling every five to ten minutes is disruptive.

Budget pumps with plastic motors and basic compressors can exceed 50 dB, comparable to a running dishwasher. Premium systems use quieter, more precisely engineered pumps that operate below 45 dB. Systematic reviews consistently note that motor noise and disturbed sleep are among the most common complaints from home caregivers, though objective noise data in decibels is rarely reported in clinical studies, making it difficult to compare devices from published evidence alone.10

Weight Capacity and Sizing

Many budget overlays are rated for 250 to 300 lbs. If your loved one is close to or exceeds that limit, the air cells may not inflate enough to provide therapeutic benefit, or may bottom out entirely. Ensure the system is rated for at least 50 lbs above the user’s current weight.

Cycle Time and Adjustability

Look for systems where the cycle time (how frequently bladders alternate) and pressure settings can be adjusted. Modern devices offer adjustable cycles ranging from 5 to 20 minutes.1 A one-size-fits-all cycle doesn’t account for differences in body weight, skin sensitivity, or wound location. Adjustable settings allow the care team to fine-tune therapy to the individual patient.

Safety Features

Quality systems include features that budget devices often lack: low-pressure alarms that alert you if a bladder fails to inflate, power failure alarms, and a CPR valve that allows rapid deflation of the entire mattress in an emergency.10 These are not optional extras for home use. When a budget pump fails silently, air cells may slowly deflate overnight without the caregiver noticing, and the patient ends up lying on a flat, unsupported surface for hours.

Durability and Warranty

Budget alternating pressure pads are frequently reported to fail within three to six months. Air cells develop leaks, pumps burn out, and connectors degrade. The FDA’s MAUDE adverse event database contains reports of mattress cover failures in alternating pressure systems that allowed undetected fluid ingress, creating infection risk.11

The total cost of replacing three $150 overlay pads in a year ($450 plus the stress and risk of each failure) often exceeds the cost of investing in a quality system from the start.


Common Problems with Budget Alternating Pressure Systems

The online forums and caregiver communities are filled with the same recurring complaints about budget alternating pressure mattress systems. Clinical research corroborates these reports.

Noise That Disrupts the Entire Household

Budget pumps cycle on and off every 10 to 20 minutes, and cheap compressors produce a grinding or humming sound that carries through a quiet home. Systematic reviews note that pump noise and sleep disruption are consistently reported concerns for home users of alternating pressure systems, yet manufacturers rarely provide standardized noise data that would allow meaningful comparison shopping.10

Comfort Issues That Undermine Compliance

The alternating sensation itself can cause problems. Some patients experience nausea from the constant subtle movement. Others feel unstable at the mattress edges, making it difficult to get in and out of bed safely.

Research confirms these complaints aren’t isolated. A Cochrane systematic review found that alternating pressure mattresses had the lowest probability of being rated “most comfortable” compared with other mattress types.12 In the PRESSURE 2 trial, more patients in the APM group requested mattress changes than in the foam group.3

The “Treating Everyone Like a 300-Pound Patient” Problem

Several experienced nurses in clinical forums have flagged a critical issue with budget systems: they apply the same pressure to a 100-lb elderly person as they would to a 250-lb patient. Without adjustable pressure settings, the alternating cycle can be too aggressive for smaller patients, creating discomfort, and potentially contributing to the very shear forces that cause pressure injuries.

Pump Failure Without Warning

When a budget pump fails, air cells may slowly deflate without the caregiver noticing, especially overnight. The patient ends up lying on a flat, unsupported surface for hours, exactly the scenario the mattress was supposed to prevent. Quality systems include low-pressure alarms; budget systems often don’t.


Living with an Alternating Pressure Mattress at Home

James and Patricia have been married 54 years. When Patricia’s MS progressed to the point where she was spending most of her day in bed, their wound care team recommended alternating pressure therapy after a Stage 2 pressure injury appeared on her sacrum. James was determined to keep her comfortable at home, but the transition wasn’t seamless.

“The first week was the hardest,” James recalls. “The pump sound woke me every time it cycled. Patricia said she felt like she was on a boat.”

Their experience is common. Research on caregiver perceptions of pressure injury prevention devices confirms that ease of use, comfort, and perceived necessity are the primary factors that determine whether families continue using advanced mattress systems at home.13 If your family is transitioning to alternating pressure therapy, here’s what to expect and how to manage it:

Noise Management

  • Place the pump on a carpeted surface or a rubber mat to reduce vibration transfer.
  • Position it as far from the headboard area as the tubing allows.
  • A white noise machine or fan in the room can mask the cycling sound.
  • Ask about pump noise specifications before purchasing; anything below 45 dB is considered quiet for home use.

Adjustment Period

Most patients acclimate to the alternating sensation within one to two weeks. The initial “boat-like” feeling diminishes as the body adapts. If discomfort persists beyond two weeks, discuss cycle time and pressure adjustments with the care team.

Daily Care Considerations

  • Perform skin checks at least twice daily, as usual. Alternating pressure reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it.
  • Continue repositioning on a schedule, even with AP therapy. The mattress supplements repositioning; it doesn’t replace it.2
  • Keep the pump plugged in at all times. Even brief power interruptions can allow cells to deflate.
  • Check tubing connections weekly for looseness or kinks.

When AP Therapy Works with an Adjustable Bed

An alternating pressure mattress paired with a home hospital bed that offers head and knee elevation, Trendelenburg positioning, and adjustable height creates a comprehensive pressure management system. The bed’s positioning capabilities allow you to shift the patient’s weight distribution through elevation changes while the mattress manages cyclical pressure offloading at contact points, complementary approaches that work together.


Medicare and Insurance Coverage for Alternating Pressure Mattresses

Understanding the insurance landscape saves time, money, and frustration. Here’s how Medicare classifies and covers these devices.

Medicare Coverage Groups

Medicare categorizes pressure-reducing support surfaces into three groups under Local Coverage Determination L33642:

  • Group 1 (overlays and basic mattresses): Covers alternating pressure overlays (codes E0181, E0182) and basic pressure-redistributing mattresses. Requires a doctor’s prescription and documentation of pressure injury risk.
  • Group 2 (powered mattresses): Covers full alternating pressure mattress replacement systems (code E0277). Requires meeting at least one of three specific clinical criteria.8
  • Group 3 (air-fluidized beds): The highest level, reserved for severe cases.

Group 2 Coverage Criteria

To qualify for a Group 2 alternating pressure mattress under Medicare, your loved one must meet at least one of these criteria:8

  1. Multiple Stage 2 pressure ulcers on the trunk or pelvis that have not improved over the past month despite a comprehensive treatment program including a Group 1 surface.
  2. Large or multiple Stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers on the trunk or pelvis.
  3. Myocutaneous flap or skin graft for a pressure ulcer on the trunk or pelvis within the past 60 days.

What This Means Practically

Medicare generally will not cover an alternating pressure mattress system purely for prevention. Coverage requires existing pressure injuries that meet specific severity thresholds. This reinforces the clinical guidance: alternating pressure is a treatment modality for documented wounds, not a first-line prevention tool.

If your loved one qualifies, Medicare Part B covers 80% of the approved amount. You pay 20% plus the Part B deductible. Prior authorization is required, and you must use a Medicare-approved DME supplier.8

For families choosing to purchase a premium alternating pressure system privately, the cost is an investment in quality that avoids the limitations of insurance-provided equipment, which caregivers frequently report as lower quality, noisier, and less durable than what’s available on the private market.


Frequently Asked Questions About Alternating Pressure Mattresses for Home Use

Can I use an alternating pressure mattress on a regular bed?

Overlay pads can be placed on any flat surface, including a regular bed. Full replacement systems are typically designed for hospital bed frames and may not fit standard bed frames properly. For home hospital bed users, a replacement system provides better integration and therapeutic benefit.

How loud is an alternating pressure mattress pump?

Budget pumps range from 45 to 55+ dB (equivalent to a quiet conversation to a running dishwasher). Premium systems operate below 45 dB. In a quiet bedroom at night, even small noise differences are noticeable.

Do alternating pressure mattresses prevent bed sores?

They can help prevent bed sores. A 2021 Cochrane network meta-analysis found a risk ratio of 0.63, suggesting alternating pressure surfaces may reduce pressure injury incidence by roughly 37% compared with foam.4 However, the PRESSURE 2 trial showed that high-specification foam mattresses are nearly as effective for prevention in many patients.3 AP mattresses are most clearly indicated for treating existing pressure injuries or for patients at very high risk who haven’t responded to foam-based solutions.

How often should the air cells be checked?

Visually inspect the mattress daily. Check that all cells are inflating and deflating properly and that no cells appear permanently flat or overinflated. Perform the “bottoming out” test weekly by sliding your palm beneath the mattress under a bony prominence.

What’s the difference between alternating pressure and low air loss?

Alternating pressure cyclically inflates and deflates air cells to shift pressure points. Low air loss maintains constant inflation but allows small amounts of air to escape through the mattress surface, helping manage moisture and temperature at the skin level (the “microclimate”).1 Some premium systems combine both technologies. Guidelines suggest low air loss may benefit patients where excessive moisture or heat contributes to skin breakdown.5

Is an alternating pressure mattress comfortable to sleep on?

Honestly, most patients find alternating pressure mattresses less comfortable than quality foam or hybrid mattresses. A Cochrane review found APMs had the lowest probability of being rated as the most comfortable surface type.12 The alternating sensation takes one to two weeks to adjust to, and some patients never fully adapt. This is another reason AP therapy should be reserved for patients who genuinely need it rather than used as a general-purpose mattress.


Making the Right Choice for Your Family

The path forward depends on where your loved one falls on the risk spectrum. For the majority of home care patients, including those at moderate to high risk who can partially reposition themselves and have no existing wounds, a high-specification pressure-redistributing mattress offers the best combination of prevention, comfort, and quality of life.

For the smaller group of patients who are completely immobile, have existing pressure injuries, or have failed to improve on foam-based surfaces, alternating pressure therapy is a powerful clinical tool that can make a significant difference in wound healing and skin integrity. But it’s a tool with specific indications, not a default choice.

This article is part of our comprehensive pressure sore prevention and treatment guide, which covers everything from risk assessment to wound care strategies for home caregivers. If you found this guide helpful, our article on how to prevent bed sores in elderly family members at home provides a complete 7-step prevention plan that works alongside any mattress type. For guidance on choosing the right mattress for someone who spends extended time in bed, our guide on the best mattress for bedridden patients covers the full decision framework.

Ready to find the right pressure relief mattress for your family member? SonderCare offers the full spectrum, from the $899 Comfort Mattress for prevention to the medical-grade Alternating Pressure Air system for active wound care, with expert guidance to help you choose the right fit. Explore SonderCare mattresses or speak with a care specialist who can assess your situation personally.


References

  1. National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP). Terms and Definitions Related to Support Surfaces. NPIAP S3I. https://cdn.ymaws.com/npiap.com/resource/resmgr/s3i/finalized_t&d_2025__2_.pdf

  2. European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline. 3rd ed. Haesler E, ed. EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA; 2019. https://www.arjo.com/globalassets/localisation/au-site/pdf/spid-2021/epuap-npiap-pppia-international-clinical-practice-guidelines-2019.pdf

  3. Nixon J, Brown S, Smith IL, et al. Comparing alternating pressure mattresses and high-specification foam mattresses to prevent pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: the PRESSURE 2 RCT. Health Technology Assessment. 2019;23(52):1-176. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31559948/

  4. Shi C, Dumville JC, Cullum N, et al. Beds, overlays and mattresses for preventing and treating pressure ulcers: an overview of Cochrane Reviews and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2021;8(8):CD013761. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8407250/

  5. Gould LJ, Olney CM, Nichols JS, et al. WHS Guidelines for the Treatment of Pressure Ulcers — 2023 update. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 2024;32(6):e13210. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11403384/

  6. Bergstrom N, Braden BJ, Laguzza A, Holman V. The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk. Nursing Research. 1987;36(4):205-210. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3299278/

  7. Padula WV, Delarmente BA. The national cost of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in the United States. International Wound Journal. 2019;16(3):634-640. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7948545/

  8. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces — Group 2. Local Coverage Determination L33642. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?LCDId=33642

  9. Brown S, Smith IL, Brown JM, et al. Pressure Relieving Support Surfaces for Pressure Ulcer Prevention (PRESSURE 2): Clinical and Health Economic Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2019;18:100265. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31709401/

  10. Shi C, Dumville JC, Cullum N, et al. Alternating pressure (active) air surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2021;5(5):CD013620. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8108044/

  11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MAUDE Adverse Event Reports: Alternating Pressure Mattress Systems. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmaude/detail.cfm?mdrfoi__id=20505497&pc=FNM

  12. McInnes E, Jammali-Blasi A, Bell-Syer SEM, Leung V. Foam surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2021;5(5):CD007267. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8179968/

  13. Hsiao HC, et al. Family caregivers’ perception of pressure ulcer prevention devices and equipment for patients with cerebrovascular and spinal disease. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0897189724001319

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All of our articles are written by a professional medical writer and edited for accuracy by a hospital bed expert. SonderCare is a Hospital Bed company with locations across the U.S. and Canada. We distribute, install and service our certified home hospital beds across North America. Our staff is made up of several hospital bed experts that have worked in the medical equipment industry for more than 20 years. Read more about our company here.

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