What Size is a Hospital Bed Mattress?

Why is it important to know the size of a hospital bed mattress?  Three reasons:

1. If the sheet is too small, it will keep coming off the mattress, and that can become uncomfortable for the patient.
2. If the sheet is too big, it can sag off the bed and become a tripping hazard for the patient. This is extremely dangerous for a patient especially those extremely ill, healing from injuries, and elderly patients. 
3. Some patients require a bigger mattress to safely hold their weight, provide comfort, and prevent bed sores.

Hospital bed mattress sizes differ from your typical twin, full, queen and king sizes. Hospital mattresses are generally 35, 36, 39, 42, 48, 54, and 60 inches wide. The length of these mattresses ranges from 75, 80, 84 inches long. These beds are designed for patients with specific needs and patients of many different weight ranges.  Size of Hospital Bed Mattresses A typical hospital bed mattress measures about 36 inches wide by 80-inch-long and is usually constructed with innerspring foundation or solid, dense foam. Sometimes the mattress is built with a combination of both. A standard hospital bed mattress can hold up to 450 pounds. Some hospital mattresses can measure 84 inches long, and some mattresses are wider such as bariatric mattresses. A bariatric mattress is a mattress that is wider than 36 inches and is typically constructed with dense foam. A bariatric hospital bed mattress is designed to support 1000 pounds or more. A twin-size mattress measures about 39 inches wide by 75 inches long just to give you an idea of the difference between the mattress sizes. When looking for sheets for hospital bed mattresses, you will need an extended twin or extra-long twin size. The extra-long twin sheet has a measurement of 39 inches wide by 80 inches long.   Depth The depth of the mattress also differs from mattress to mattress. Most beds have a thickness of 6 inches, and some hospital bed mattresses may be thicker than that. Some hospital beds have gel toppers or foam toppers for comfort and support which will cause the depth of the mattress to be thicker. The standard thickness of a hospital mattress is about 7 to 9 inches. Some deep mattress depths range from 10 to 15 inches. When choosing sheets, you must consider the size and depth as well as factor in the gel or foam topper if there is one.  Hospital beds come in a variety of sizes because they are designed to provide comfort and safety for their patients. Larger patients require sturdier mattresses and a mattress that will prevent bed sores. Some patients that may have trouble getting in and out of bed will need a mattress with a thinner depth on top of a lower bed to prevent any falls.  Brands such as Invacare provide a variety of mattresses and mattress sizes to fit every need. When shopping for a mattress always take into consideration the needs of the patient.