A lexicon of support surfaces for beds

Here are some common terms you’ll encounter when dealing with support surfaces:

STASIS SUPPORT SURFACES (require no power source):

Overlays: Usually made of high-density foam or air-cushions that are placed on top of a standard mattress. Fluid-filled overlays are also available.

Mattress replacements: Pressure-reducing mattresses that fit standard bed frames. They can consist of foam, a combination of foam and air cushions, or fluid-filled compartments.

DYNAMIC SUPPORT SURFACES (require a power source):

Low air-loss overlays or mattress replacements: Consist of air-filled cushions that are inflated by a constant or intermittent flow of air. Air continuously escapes to accommodate patient movement. More advanced models are equipped with automatic sensors that detect changes in a patient’s position and adjust air pressure accordingly.

Air-fluidized beds: Highly specialized integrated bed-mattress systems consisting of a mattress filled with ceramic microspheres that look like sand to the naked eye. Warm air forced through the spheres causes them to act like a fluid. Air-fluidized systems are large and cumbersome, which may limit their use in home care. n