Hospital Bed Mattress Size / Medical Bed Mattress Size

Size Differences in Mattresses

Regular bed mattresses cannot be used on a hospital bed for numerous reasons. First of all, the hospital bed frame is not going to represent measurements that are compatible with a standard mattress. Second, regular mattresses aren’t built for the needed adjustability (unless they state that they’re designed for adjustable beds), so they pose a health and safety risk for the user. Further, if they’re used on an adjustable hospital bed, they can damage both the frame as well as the mattress. Regular bed mattresses come in the following standard sizes: 

•         Twin:         39 inches x 75 inches
•         Twin XL:     39 inches x 80 inches
•         Full:           54 inches x 75 inches
•         Queen:       60 inches x 80 inches
•         King:          76 inches x 80 inches
•         Calif King:   72 inches x 84 inches

Hospital mattresses have different actual measurements, though, and therefore the classifications that many people associate with these mattresses are according to the type of bed. There are three general classifications of hospital mattresses: standard, bariatric, and pressure relief mattresses[link to pressure relief mattresses when live]. Some people consider hospital mattress measurements to be titled the same as regular mattresses though. Therefore, there are products commonly called twin, full, queen, and king-sized hospital mattresses (minus a few inches give or take when compared to regular mattresses made for normal beds). The most common hospital mattress size is a full size hospital bed mattress (standard mattresses). Bariatric mattresses are larger in size and therefore usually queen size medical mattresses and king size are used for bariatric applications to accommodate greater weight and size needs. 

Measurements of Hospital Mattresses

The table above refers to regular marketplace mattress measurements, but there is a very big difference between the standard sizes and those that are meant to be on a bed designed for use in home healthcare. Each classification of mattress-style does not necessarily determine a mattress’s size. Therefore, the information below can be used when choosing between multiple medical bed mattress sizes. 

Twin Mattresses

Twin-sized mattresses are somewhat comparable to a regular twin sized mattress, but they’re wider and longer. Indeed, they are on average 80 inches long. They prove a little less-wide compared to a regular twin mattress, though, being only approximately 36 inches in width. Twin mattresses are often used for “single” applications and are the most widely used size of mattress on the market. As one of the most standard hospital bed mattresses sizes, they have a weight capacity that can vary anywhere between 250 lbs. to 500 lbs. This variance does depend on the type of single bed and mattress being used, however. They are often anywhere between 5 and 10 inches thick depending on the classification type. 

Full Size Hospital Bed Mattresses

Full size mattresses are approximately 42 inches wide and 80 inches long. Some slightly longer mattresses for taller people or bariatric patients may be 84 inches long. These mattresses are wider than a twin mattress but smaller than a “Queen” or “King” sized mattress. They are made to fit most hospital bed frames and the weight capacity that they hold can vary depending on the mattress classification type. Full size mattresses can come in various thicknesses as well, often depending on the type. Lateral rotation and low air loss standard mattresses can be up to 10 inches tall, while the majority of full-sized mattresses are about 7 inches thick. 

Queen Size Medical Mattresses

Choosing a Queen-sized medical mattress means going a size above that which is considered a standard (of “full-sized” mattress). These bariatric mattresses are meant for patients who have the need for a higher weight capacity (anywhere from 600 lbs. to 1,000 lbs.), or more bed room. The dimensions of a Queen hospital mattress stand at 48 inches wide by 80 inches long. And just like twin and full mattresses, these mattresses come in various heights, often from 7 inches to 10 inches. The thicker mattresses are often air mattresses or those specially designed for bariatric purposes only. 

“King-Sized” Mattresses

According to the size list above, regular-sized king mattresses are about 70” wide by 80” long. Hospital mattresses that are considered to be “King-sized” are approximately 54 inches or 60 inches wide by 80 inches long, and are anywhere from 7 inches to 10 inches tall. 

Benefits of Using Different Sized Hospital Bed Mattresses

Aside from the benefits of hospital mattresses generally, having a bed that is of a different size than a standard mattress can benefit a patient even more. Part of the reason for the increased length of a hospital bed, for example, is on the manufacturer’s side of things. Manufacturers follow a standard hospital bed mattress size because they know that individual users have varying size and height needs. Therefore, it’s much easier and more efficient if they can accommodate medical facilities and even home users with a “one-size-fits-most” solution. Of course, they know that some people may need bariatric alternatives, and there are alternatives for those who frequently suffer bedsores. This is why there are “queen” and “king-sized” mattresses relatively similar to the standard mattress used in hospital bed applications as well. 

Place Safety Before Features

It’s important to know that with the wide variety of sizes comes the challenge of ensuring proper weight capacity. Having a mattress whose user exceeds the weight capacity is a dangerous invitation for hazards for the mattress itself and the patient alike. There are many unfortunate events that can arise if a user goes over the weight capacity. By “damaging the beds”, a user of an alternating or low air loss system can break the cells if they are above the weight limit – and this will void the warranty in most cases just as it would any other medical device. 

The size of a hospital bed mattress of any type should also be seriously evaluated. While as mentioned above, a mattress made for hospital beds may come in different measurements and “sizes”, having the mattress that fits the frame’s sleep surface is essential to safety too. If a user gets too big or too small of a mattress, it can harm the patient or the caregiver. The size of a medical mattress also has to be exactly the same as the bed in order to use safety guards, such as bed rails or other accessories. 

At AvaCare Medical, we want to guide you as best we can through your choice of the right hospital bed mattress. All you have to do is give our customer representatives a call at 1-877-813-7799 during our operating hours (listed at the bottom of our website) or send an email and they will answer all of your questions and concerns!