Span America PressureGuard APM

The Span America PressureGuard APM is a 7 inch powered alternating-pressure mattress for a 35 inch hospital or long-term care deck. A Geo-Matt foam top sits over four air cylinders that run head to foot. The 5500 control unit hangs on the footboard and offers Alternate or Float. Span America is a Savaria company. Westin Healthcare quotes it, delivers it, and sets it on the bed for homes and care sites in Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area.

This page is the base PressureGuard APM only. Span lists a 350 lb weight limit, a 7 inch height, a 20 lb mattress, a 5.25 lb pump, and three 35 inch widths: 75, 80, and 84 inches long. If a clinician has named PressureGuard APM-i, APM2, APM2 Safety Supreme, Bariatric APM, Custom Care Convertible, or Protocol, ask us for that surface. Those are separate Span systems.

Who this mattress is for

This mattress is for a person on a 35 inch sleep deck who needs powered alternating pressure or powered flotation and whose weight is within Span's 350 lb rating. Span writes it for treatment of Stage 1 to 4 pressure injuries, for a person who cannot or will not reposition often, for a person who can be positioned off a pressure injury in at least two positions, and for prevention when the person is at high risk.

Families and directors of care usually call us when the bed is a Span 35 inch Q-Series frame and the therapist has asked for a PressureGuard APM with the 5500 pump. We already stock other Span PressureGuard surfaces (Custom Care Convertible LAL, non-powered Custom Care, and Span-Care Convertible) and other alternating-pressure mattresses. If the care team named one of those, we will quote that system instead.

• 35 inch decks such as the Span America Advantage (35 by 80 inches)
• Home care and long-term care rooms that need Alternate and Float on a 35 inch, 350 lb air-and-foam surface
• Anyone replacing a worn powered mattress on a 35 inch frame with the base APM, not a wider or convertible sibling

Construction and how it works

The PressureGuard APM is a powered air-and-foam mattress. Inside the foam shell, four urethane air cylinders run from head to foot. In Alternate, cylinders 1 and 3 inflate while 2 and 4 deflate, then the pattern reverses on a fixed 8-minute cycle. In Float, all four cylinders stay evenly inflated and the pump keeps the surface at a steady flotation level. A comfort dial sets firmness without turning the therapy off.

On top, a 2 inch Geo-Matt segmented foam has more than 800 cells that move on their own. That layer is the interface between the person and the air system. Span's Heel Slope tapers the foot end. The two-part Safety-Edge bolster system runs along the sides and ends for a firmer edge when the person sits or transfers. The cover is bacteriostatic, fire resistant, fluid-proof, tear resistant, cleanable, and replaceable. A pleated design ties the cover to the Geo-Matt cells.

The 5500 control unit hangs on the footboard with fold-out hooks. Two air lines click into the unit and into ports under a flap at the foot-right corner of the mattress. A lamp shows low pressure until the first fill is done. There is no Auto Firm button and no rotation switch on this pump. Those belong to other PressureGuard models.

Span America PressureGuard APM specifications

These figures are for the PressureGuard APM in 5175-29, 5180-29, and 5184-29 with the 5500 control unit. They are not the APM-i, APM2, Bariatric APM, Custom Care, or Protocol sheets. The specification tab holds the stored values.

Span lists a 350 lb weight limit, a 7 inch height, a 20 lb mattress, and a 5.25 lb control unit. Width is 35 inches. Lengths are 75, 80, and 84 inches. The 5500 draws AC 100-120 V, 60 Hz, 0.16 A, 14 W and is listed to UL 60601-1 and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 601.1. Fire and life-safety markings on the catalog sheet are NFPA 101 (ASTM E1590), Cal TB 117, and 16 CFR 1632 and 1633. Span's warranty on this model is 18 months non-prorated on the mattress, the cover, and the control unit.

Size options

Use Choose Mattress Size. Every row is 35 inches wide and 7 inches high and includes the 5500 control unit. The default on this page is 80 in L x 35 in W x 7 in H (5180-29).

• 75 in L x 35 in W x 7 in H (5175-29)
• 80 in L x 35 in W x 7 in H (5180-29)
• 84 in L x 35 in W x 7 in H (5184-29)

Span does not publish a 36, 39, 42, or wider base APM. If the deck is the Span America Encore ReadyWide surface (36 to 42 inches), or if the person is over 350 lb, ask us for a Span surface in that width and rating.

Funding help for a therapeutic mattress in Ontario

Ontario's Assistive Devices Program (ADP) does not cover hospital beds or mattresses, so plan around other routes. Funding that may help instead: March of Dimes Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and community programs. Westin Healthcare's staff work with these programs every week and will point you to the right route for your situation. Visit our funding page or call (905) 451-7743 to talk it through before you buy.

Delivery and setup in Brampton and the GTA

Westin's own team delivers and sets up this mattress across Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area. We bring it in, place it on the bed, hang the 5500 on the footboard, connect the air lines, and show you Alternate, Float, and the low-pressure lamp before we leave.

We have three stores in the Brampton and Toronto area if you would rather see a mattress first. For a scheduled in-home setup, call (905) 451-7743 and we will book the next date that works. Same-day delivery is offered through our hospital bed rental service; purchased mattresses are delivered and set up on a scheduled date.

Hospital mattresses are oversized. The Canada-wide free ground-shipping offer on smaller goods does not apply. If the mattress is going outside the GTA, ask us for a freight quote. Inside Toronto and the GTA, White-Glove Delivery (bring-in, unwrap, test, take packaging away) is described on the shipping policy. Any charge is confirmed on your order.

Which beds this mattress fits

Span publishes the PressureGuard APM in 35 inch width by 75, 80, or 84 inch length by 7 inch height. Place it directly on a healthcare bed frame, a standard bed frame, or a box spring that matches those dimensions. Span says not to stack it on another mattress, and to keep gaps between the mattress and the frame as small as possible. The 80 inch APM (5180-29) is the size for the Span America Advantage 35 by 80 inch deck. Span's bed manuals say to use a mattress that fits the frame and to keep it centred so the person cannot slip into a gap.

The 75 inch APM is for a 35 by 75 inch deck. The 84 inch APM is for a 35 by 84 inch deck. The Span America Encore expands from 36 to 42 inches, so we size a different Span surface for that platform. See all hospital beds if you are still choosing a frame, and all medical mattresses if you need a different therapy class.

The 5500 needs a grounded wall outlet at AC 100-120 V, 60 Hz. It draws 0.16 A (14 W). Hang it on the footboard so the bed's travel cannot pinch the cord or the air lines. If the power fails, the transport cap on the air-line connector holds air in the cylinders as a static surface until power returns. Do not move the person on the mattress without the bed.

We already sell other alternating-pressure systems if the clinician named a different brand or width: the Med-Aire alternating pressure mattress, the Fusion APT alternating pressure mattress, and the Domus 4 alternating pressure mattress. When the clinician has asked for a Span convertible or low-air-loss surface instead of this base APM, we already stock PressureGuard Custom Care Convertible LAL, non-powered Custom Care, and Span-Care Convertible. Ask us to add the matching width to the quote.

Service and warranty

When something on the mattress or the 5500 needs work, you call the shop that set it up. Westin Healthcare has a service and repairs department. Our technicians come to the home or workplace.

Span America manufacturer warranty

Span lists an 18-month non-prorated warranty on the PressureGuard APM mattress, cover, and 5500 control unit. We handle the warranty claim with you. Ask us if an extended warranty is offered for your order.

Frequently asked questions

What is the PressureGuard APM?

It is Span America's base powered alternating-pressure mattress: a 7 inch foam shell with a Geo-Matt top, four head-to-foot air cylinders, Heel Slope, Safety-Edge bolsters, and the 5500 control unit. Span sells it in 35 inch width only, in 75, 80, and 84 inch lengths, with a 350 lb weight limit.

How is the APM different from APM-i, APM2, Bariatric APM, Custom Care, and Protocol?

The APM is the 35 inch, 350 lb model with the analog 5500 pump and two modes, Alternate and Float. APM-i adds SmartImmerse auto-setup on a 6200 pump and 36 or 42 inch widths. APM2 adds digital controls and a rotation option. Bariatric APM is 42 to 54 inches wide with a 750 lb rating. Custom Care Convertible can run with or without a pump. Protocol adds a microclimate coverlet. Ask us if the care team named one of those.

What power does the 5500 need?

The 5500 plugs into a grounded wall outlet at AC 100-120 V, 60 Hz. It draws 0.16 A, or 14 W. Hang it on the footboard and keep the cord and air lines clear of the bed's moving parts.

What happens if the power goes out?

Fit the transport cap on the air-line connector. That holds air in the four cylinders so the surface stays even and static until power returns. Do not move the person on the mattress without the bed.

What is the weight rating?

Span lists a 350 lb weight limit on the PressureGuard APM. Tell us the person's weight when you order. For a higher rating, ask us about the Bariatric APM or another Span surface.

What sizes can I get?

35 inches wide by 75, 80, or 84 inches long, all 7 inches high. Codes are 5175-29, 5180-29, and 5184-29. Each includes the 5500. The default on this page is 80 by 35 inches.

Which beds does the PressureGuard APM fit?

It fits a 35 inch sleep deck in 75, 80, or 84 inch length. The 80 inch APM matches the Span America Advantage 35 by 80 inch deck. Span says to place it directly on the frame or box spring, never on another mattress, and to keep it centred.

How do I clean the cover?

Span specifies a bacteriostatic, fluid-proof, wipeable cover that is cleanable and replaceable. Wipe it in place with the disinfectant your clinician allows. Unplug the 5500 and wipe the pump with a damp cloth. Do not soak the pump.

What is Alternate versus Float?

Alternate cycles the four cylinders on a fixed 8-minute cycle. Float holds all four cylinders evenly inflated for powered flotation. A comfort dial sets firmness in either mode. A lamp shows low pressure until the first fill is finished.

What is the warranty?

Span lists 18 months non-prorated on the mattress, the cover, and the 5500 control unit. Westin Healthcare processes the warranty work.

Can funding help pay for this mattress in Ontario?

Ontario's Assistive Devices Program does not cover hospital beds or mattresses. March of Dimes Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, and community programs may still help, depending on the person. Call (905) 451-7743 or use the funding page before you buy.

What is included?

You get the Span America PressureGuard APM in the size you pick, with the bacteriostatic cover on it, plus the 5500 control unit and air lines. The bed frame is sold separately.