Home Healthcare Shoppe Q&AAnswer
Jan 28, 2026 - 04:17 PM
Yes — you can place a urine or continence pad on top of an alternating pressure mattress (like a MedAire air bed), but it’s important to do so correctly to protect the mattress and ensure it functions properly.
Here’s how to do it safely:
- Use a waterproof bed protector or a specialty mattress protector designed for use with alternating pressure systems.
- These protectors should be placed between your sheets and the air pad, so any moisture is absorbed before it reaches the vinyl surface of the pressure pad.
This helps keep the pump and air cells dry, as they are not designed to get wet. Placing a standard disposable urine pad directly on top of the alternating air pad may trap moisture against the mattress, which can shorten its lifespan and potentially interfere with its pressure-relieving function.
Here’s how to do it safely:
- Use a waterproof bed protector or a specialty mattress protector designed for use with alternating pressure systems.
- These protectors should be placed between your sheets and the air pad, so any moisture is absorbed before it reaches the vinyl surface of the pressure pad.
This helps keep the pump and air cells dry, as they are not designed to get wet. Placing a standard disposable urine pad directly on top of the alternating air pad may trap moisture against the mattress, which can shorten its lifespan and potentially interfere with its pressure-relieving function.
