NSC Medical Series 5000 Medi-Gel Pressure Relief Mattress

The NSC Medical Series 5000 is a 6 inch layered foam mattress that replaces the standard mattress on a hospital or home care bed when pressure injuries are a concern. A gel-infused Soy Visco Medi-Gel top layer sits over a firmer Soy Medi-Foam base. It comes in ten sizes, from 36 x 76 inches to 60 x 80 inches, and Westin Healthcare delivers it across Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and the rest of the GTA.

What is the Series 5000, and is it a cushion or an overlay?

It is neither: the Series 5000 is a full mattress, not a wheelchair cushion and not a topper. It is made in Canada by NSC Medical and is built to sit directly on the bed deck of a hospital bed or a home care bed. The product is listed by the supplier as a "2.5 inch Medi-Gel Pressure Relief Therapeutic Surface with PTRS System": the 2.5 inch figure refers to the Medi-Gel top layer, and the whole mattress is 6 inches thick.

Who should choose a gel therapeutic mattress?

This mattress is for someone who is in bed for most of the day, or has had a pressure injury, or is at risk of one, and who sleeps on a hospital bed or a home care bed. It is also for the caregiver who moves them: the PTRS base cover is NSC's friction-reducing transfer system, meant to make repositioning and moving the mattress surface easier on the person doing the lifting.

If the person is already on a standard foam mattress and has red areas that do not fade, talk to their nurse or occupational therapist before changing surfaces. We can match the mattress to the bed once you know the clinical need. Call (905) 451-7743 and a Westin team member will help you work through it.

How is the Series 5000 built?

It is built in layers, 6 inches in total, under a medical cover.

• Top layer: open-cell Soy Visco Medi-Gel, which is gel infused into visco-elastic foam so the surface moulds to the body. The supplier lists this layer at 2.5 inches.
• Base layer: low-compression, high-density Soy Medi-Foam, which holds the top layer up and keeps the person from sinking through it.
• Cover: Recovery 5 surgical-grade 4-way stretch fabric with a zipper, fluid-proof and anti-microbial, over a 16 oz Anti-Slip Grip X base so the mattress stays put on the deck.
• Fire protection: NSC states that the foams are fire-rated and the mattress has a fire barrier. The maker does not name a standard in the material we have, so we do not either.

Series 5000 specifications

These are the manufacturer's figures. The size you choose sets the width and length; everything else is the same on all ten.

Which size fits my bed?

Pick the size that matches the bed's deck, in width by length, because a mattress that is too small leaves gaps at the rails and one that is too large rides up the sides. Measure the deck of your bed before ordering and check the number against this list:

Choose from the Size picker above the price. If your bed is not on this list, call us before buying. Our hospital bed rental page shows the beds we handle most, and our staff can tell you which mattress width goes with each.

Is it a gel mattress or a memory foam mattress?

It is both: the top layer is visco-elastic memory foam with gel infused into it, and the base is a firmer foam. The gel is part of the foam, not a separate gel pad. NSC does not publish a temperature test result in the material we reviewed, so we do not promise a particular sleeping temperature. The open-cell construction is the maker's way of letting air move through the top layer.

Is the cover waterproof, and can it come off for cleaning?

The cover is fluid-proof and anti-microbial, and it zips off the foam. Wipe it down after spills as you would any medical-grade cover. NSC does not give a wash temperature in the material we reviewed, so check the care label and the NSC5000 flyer before machine washing. Do not soak the foam core.

What is the weight limit?

NSC rates the Series 5000 for 700 lb (317 kg). That puts it in the range of higher-capacity surfaces, but check the weight rating of the bed frame as well, because the bed and the mattress each set their own limit. If you are comparing, the Harmony Relax XC is another high-capacity mattress for adjustable beds.

How is it different from other NSC mattresses, such as the Series 3000?

We do not hold a verified side-by-side of the Series 5000 and the Series 3000, so we will not guess. NSC publishes the full line on its own site, and a Westin team member can go through it with you at (905) 451-7743.

Does ADP or another program pay for it?

We cannot say for certain. NSC does not state funding eligibility for this mattress, and eligibility for any Ontario program depends on the person's assessment. Visit our funding page or call (905) 451-7743 and we will tell you what we know before you buy.

Care, warranty and service

NSC backs the Series 5000 with a 7 year non-pro-rated warranty, which means the coverage does not shrink year by year. Keep the zipper closed, keep the cover intact, and clean spills promptly. For questions about warranty claims or care, see our service and repairs page. Delivery details are on the shipping policy page.

Frequently asked questions