SPAN AMERICA GEL 80 GEL AND FOAM MATTRESS OVERLAY

The Span America Gel 80 is a gel and foam overlay that lies on top of a hospital sized twin mattress. Multiple gel bladders are encapsulated inside a high-density sculpted foam base, so the surface immerses under the heavy points of the body while the foam underneath keeps the whole thing stable. Westin Healthcare supplies it across Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area.

Gel behaves differently from foam. Foam compresses and pushes back; gel moves out of the way and redistributes. Putting both in one overlay is the point of this product: gel where the pressure concentrates, sculpted foam to carry the rest and to stop the surface bottoming out.

Who the Gel 80 is for

Span America classes the Gel 80 as a Group 1 support surface, Medicare code E0185. Group 1 is the prevention tier: it is for redistributing pressure on someone whose skin is intact or at early risk, not for treating an established injury.

• Prevention on a standard hospital bed. That is what this overlay is built for, and it goes on the mattress that is already there.
• An existing pressure injury under treatment. That is a Group 2 surface and a different product. Ask us about a replacement therapeutic mattress and bring the skin assessment.
• A foam-only alternative. If gel is not wanted, the Geo-Matt Overlay is the segmented foam equivalent.

The 46 lb question

The Gel 80 weighs 46 lb. That is the most practical fact about it and almost nobody publishes it. Gel is heavy, and this overlay is a one-piece article, so a bed change is a two-person job in most settings and stripping it off a bed single-handed is not realistic for many caregivers at home.

Weigh that against what gel does for the person on the bed. If handling is going to be the limiting factor, tell us and we will talk you through the foam options before you order.

Fit

The overlay is 78 in long by 34 in wide by 3.5 in high, and Span America lists it as fitting a hospital sized twin mattress of 80 in by 35 in. It is deliberately slightly smaller than the mattress so it sits inside the perimeter rather than draping over the edge. Elastic corner straps hold it in place.

Measure the mattress before you order. If your bed takes an 84 in mattress, or a 42 in wide bariatric mattress, this overlay is the wrong size for it and we will point you to something that fits.

Cover and cleaning

The top surface is a wipe-clean, fluid-impervious fabric. Fluids stay on the surface rather than getting into the gel and foam underneath, which is what makes the overlay reusable between people when your infection control policy allows it. Wipe it down and inspect it; take it out of service if the top surface is cut or split, because once fluid is inside a one-piece gel overlay it cannot be got out.

Gel 80 specifications

These figures are printed by Span America against the exact item code GEL-80.

Span America ships the Gel 80 folded and boxed, which keeps the freight sensible for an article of this weight.

Funding help for a therapeutic mattress overlay 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 across Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area. We have three stores in the Brampton and Toronto area if you would rather lift a gel overlay before you commit to living with one. Call (905) 451-7743 or use the contact page and tell us the mattress size and who will be making the bed. Shipping terms are described on the shipping policy page, and any charge is confirmed on your order.

Service and replacement

A gel overlay is a wear item. Replace it when the top surface is damaged, when the gel no longer returns to shape, or when the elastic straps no longer hold it on the mattress. Span America warrants the Gel 80 for 1 year. Westin Healthcare has a service and repairs department for the beds these surfaces sit on, and we can put a replacement on the same account. Ask us for the Savaria terms that ship with your order.

Frequently asked questions

How much weight can the Gel 80 take?

300 lb, printed by Span America against this exact code.

How heavy is the overlay itself?

46 lb. Plan for two people at a bed change, and think about it seriously if the overlay is going into a home where one caregiver does the beds alone.

Will it fit my bed?

It is made for a hospital sized twin mattress of 80 in by 35 in. The overlay itself is 78 in by 34 in by 3.5 in and sits inside the mattress perimeter with elastic corner straps. It is not made for an 84 in long mattress or a bariatric width; send us the mattress size and we will confirm.

Is gel better than foam?

They do different things. Gel moves out from under concentrated pressure and redistributes it; segmented foam compresses cell by cell and handles shear well. The Gel 80 combines gel bladders with a sculpted foam base to get both. If handling weight is the constraint, foam is the lighter answer: see the Geo-Matt Overlay.

What does Group 1 mean?

It is the support surface tier used for prevention and early risk, as opposed to Group 2 surfaces used in the treatment of established pressure injuries. Span America classes the Gel 80 as Group 1, Medicare code E0185.

Does it replace the mattress?

No. It is an overlay and it goes on top of the mattress already on the bed. If the person needs more than an overlay can give, that is a replacement therapeutic mattress; call us and we will work out which.

How is it cleaned?

The top surface is a wipe-clean, fluid-impervious fabric. Wipe it down and inspect it. Take it out of service if the surface is cut, because a one-piece gel overlay cannot be dried out once fluid is inside.

Is it fire rated?

Span America states that components conform to applicable California Technical Bulletin 117 standards. It does not publish an NFPA 101 or 16 CFR certification for this overlay the way it does for its mattresses, so nothing further is claimed here. If your facility needs a specific fire certification on file, tell us before you order and we will get it confirmed with Savaria.