Span America PressureGuard Protocol

The Span America PressureGuard Protocol is Span America's powered microclimate mattress with alternating pressure or flotation. Span America is a Savaria company. Westin Healthcare quotes it, delivers it, and sets it on the bed for long-term care homes and for families in Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area whose clinician has asked for this surface.

This is a powered air-and-foam mattress. A 3400 control unit hangs on the footboard and sends a gentle stream of air under the coverlet while you choose alternating pressure or powered flotation. Span rates the 35 inch sizes at 400 lbs and the 42 inch sizes at 500 lbs. Height is 7 inches at the centre. This page is the Protocol only. It is not the PressureGuard APM, APM-i, APM2, Bariatric APM, Custom Care, or Easy Air, and it is not the Topper coverlet.

Who this mattress is for

This mattress is for a person who needs both microclimate management and powered pressure redistribution on a matching hospital or long-term care deck. Span writes the Protocol for prevention and treatment of pressure injuries, and for people with excess moisture or maceration from sweating, limited mobility, or a raised body temperature. Span also names it for high-risk patients. It is always used as part of a medically supervised plan that still includes repositioning, nutrition, and any topical or continence care the clinician orders.

Purchasing coordinators usually call us when a home wants a quieter microclimate surface with alternating pressure, without stepping up to a rotation mattress. Families call when a therapist has named the PressureGuard Protocol. Span says the Protocol is not for a person with an unstable spinal cord. If the person already has a pressure-redistributing mattress and the plan only asked for a powered coverlet on top of it, see the Span America Topper.

• Long-term care and retirement homes that want Protocol microclimate plus alternating pressure on a 35 or 42 inch deck
• Private homes where a clinician has asked for the PressureGuard Protocol
• Anyone who needs a powered surface that can hold its inflation during a short power cut or a move, then go back on the wall outlet

Construction and how it works

The Protocol is a foam shell with head-to-foot air cylinders inside. The Geo-Matt top is segmented so the surface can follow the body and reduce shear. Span's Safety Edge is a contoured foam bolster at the perimeter. It helps keep a firmer edge for sitting and transfers and gently encourages the user toward the centre of the bed. The Protective Heel Slope tapers the foot so load shifts off the heel.

Microclimate management is a two-layer Air Diffusion Matrix design. The outer coverlet is highly vapour-permeable and fluid-proof. Moisture vapour passes through it. The inner air-delivery cover has a dedicated air supply that sweeps that vapour away before it can sit as liquid on the skin. You can wipe the coverlet in place with a hospital-grade cleaner, or unzip it, machine wash it, and let it air-dry.

The 3400 control unit hangs on the footboard on heavy-duty hooks. Three air lines click in at the foot end. Plug the flush-mounted detachable cord into a wall outlet. Span rates the unit at 110-120 V, 60 Hz, and 0.6 A maximum. Air flow to the cover runs whenever the unit is on. You then pick Float for powered flotation, or Alternating, which changes loading across the surface on a 10 minute cycle. Auto Firm holds a firmer surface for transfers, daily care, or CPR for 30 minutes, then returns to the last therapy. Comfort settings include an ultra-soft Max Immersion choice Span writes for users under 120 lbs. A selectable audible alarm and a light warn of low pressure.

Unlike a typical roll-up air mattress, the foam shell can keep the surface inflated during a power cut or transport. Span still says the Protocol is not a non-powered support surface for everyday use. Except for those short interruptions, the person should be on the mattress only when the control unit is connected, plugged in, and switched on.

Raised Perimeter sizes keep the 7 inch centre and raise the sides to 9 inches. Span says the raised edge prompts the user away from the edge of the bed. Raised foam sides are not metal bed rails. Metal rails are chosen on the bed page.

SPAN America PressureGuard Protocol specifications

These figures are for the Span America PressureGuard Protocol. They are not APM, Easy Air, Custom Care, or Topper figures. The specification tab holds the stored values.

Span lists a 400 lb weight limit on the 35 inch Protocol, and 500 lb on the 42 inch builds. Height is 7 inches at the centre (9 inches at the side on Raised Perimeter). The mattress weighs about 22 lbs, or about 28 lbs at 42 inches. The 3400 control unit is about 14 by 9-1/4 by 6-1/2 inches and 11.5 lbs.

Power is AC 110-120 V, 60 Hz, 0.6 A maximum, from a wall outlet, through a detachable cord. The unit is Type BF, Class I, and listed to CSA 60601-1 and AAMI ES60601-1. Span's warranty for the original purchaser is 18 months, non-prorated, on the mattress, the coverlet, and the control unit. Fire-barrier (-29) builds are certified to NFPA 101 (ASTM E1590), California Technical Bulletin 117, and 16 CFR 1632 and 1633.

Size options

Use Size to pick the deck you will run. The default on this page is 80 x 35 in (P8035-29). Match length and width to the sleep surface. Span asks you to confirm the mattress fits the frame so gaps stay small. Every Size includes the mattress, the coverlet, and the 3400 control unit.

• 80 x 35 in (P8035-29), the usual 80 inch institutional deck
• 75 x 35 in (P7535-29)
• 84 x 35 in (P8435-29)
• 80 x 42 in (23173)
• 84 x 42 in (17108)
• 80 x 35 in Raised Perimeter (69212)
• 84 x 35 in Raised Perimeter (33905)
• 80 x 42 in Raised Perimeter (72235)
• 84 x 42 in Raised Perimeter (81990)

A replacement 3400 control unit is available if the original pump later needs a spare. If the care team named a coverlet, an APM, or an Easy Air surface rather than Protocol, ask us for that surface instead of picking a size here.

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 control unit, and check the airflow 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 lists Protocol for a healthcare bed frame that matches the mattress length and width. Place it directly on the frame, never on top of another mattress. Span asks you to keep gaps small so the person cannot slip into a space at the edge.

On Westin beds we already sell, a 35 inch Protocol matches the 35 inch by 80 inch sleep deck on the Span America Advantage. A 42 inch Protocol matches the 42 inch ReadyWide stop on the Span America Encore. Confirm the deck width before you pick Size. A 35 inch Protocol is not a listed match for a 36 inch Encore rest position.

The 3400 control unit needs a working wall outlet. Span rates it at 110-120 V, 60 Hz, and 0.6 A maximum. Hang it on the footboard, connect the three air lines at the foot, and route the airline and the power cord clear of moving parts and walkways. Plug the supplied cord into the wall. A green light means the unit is on. Unplug it to stop the air. The 3400 is the Protocol pump. It is not the Topper 2100 and it is not an APM or Easy Air control unit.

If the care plan asked for a powered coverlet on a mattress you already have, see the Span America Topper. We already stock PressureGuard Custom Care Convertible LAL, non-powered Custom Care, and Span-Care Convertible if the therapist named one of those surfaces instead. See all medical mattresses if you are still choosing a therapy class.

Service and warranty

When something on the mattress or the control unit needs work, you call the shop that delivered it, not a US parts desk. Westin Healthcare has a service and repairs department. Our technicians come to the home or workplace.

Span America manufacturer warranty

Span America's published warranty for the original purchaser is 18 months, non-prorated, on the mattress, the coverlet, and the control unit. We handle the warranty claim with you. Ask us if an extended warranty is offered for your order.

Frequently asked questions

How is the PressureGuard Protocol different from the other PressureGuard models?

Protocol is the powered microclimate mattress with alternating pressure or flotation and the 3400 control unit. APM and APM2 are the alternating-pressure family without this coverlet system. Easy Air adds rotation or extra width on a later card. Custom Care is the convertible air-and-foam surface we already stock. The Topper is a coverlet that sits on another mattress. This page is the Protocol only.

Does the Protocol need a wall outlet?

Yes. Span rates the 3400 control unit at 110-120 V, 60 Hz, and 0.6 A maximum. Plug the supplied detachable cord into a wall outlet. Air flow runs whenever the unit is on. The foam shell can hold inflation during a short outage or a move, but Span says the Protocol is not a non-powered surface for everyday use.

What is the weight rating?

Span lists 400 lbs on the 35 inch Protocol and 500 lbs on the 42 inch builds. If the person is near that limit, ask us about a higher-rated surface.

What size fits a standard Span hospital bed?

The Span America Advantage sleep deck is 35 inches by 80 inches, which takes P8035-29, the default on this page. Use P7535-29 on a 75 inch deck and P8435-29 on an 84 inch deck. A 42 inch Protocol is for a 42 inch deck, including the Encore ReadyWide 42 inch stop. Measure the sleep surface before you pick Size.

How do I clean the coverlet?

Span says you can wipe the coverlet in place with a hospital-grade cleaner, or unzip it, machine wash it, and let it air-dry. Unplug the control unit before you wipe it with a well-wrung cloth. Do not puncture the mattress with needles. Fitted sheets are the linen Span prefers. Keep stacked pads to a minimum so air can still reach the skin.

What is Raised Perimeter?

Raised Perimeter is the same Protocol mattress with 9 inch sides and a 7 inch centre. Span says the raised edge prompts the user away from the edge of the bed. It is foam, not a metal side rail. Metal rails bolt to the bed frame and are chosen on the bed page.

Is the Protocol a mattress or a coverlet?

A mattress. It sits on the bed frame. The Topper is the Span coverlet that sits on another healthcare mattress. Do not put the Protocol on top of a second mattress.

How quiet is the control unit?

Span writes that the Protocol control unit generates less heat and noise, and uses less power, than a typical high-output low-air-loss blower. Air flow still runs whenever the unit is on. If night-time sound is a concern, ask us to show you the 3400 in the store.

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 and we will point you to the right route before anyone starts paperwork. The funding page is the starting point.

Can I rent a mattress like this before I buy?

Westin Healthcare rents hospital beds with a therapeutic medical mattress included. See current packages on the hospital bed rentals page. The PressureGuard Protocol itself is a purchase item. If you later buy, ask about the Rental to Purchase First Month Credit program so we can apply the program rules.

What is included with the PressureGuard Protocol?

You get the Span America PressureGuard Protocol mattress in the Size you pick, the machine-washable coverlet, and the 3400 control unit. Raised Perimeter is a Size value, not a separate carton. The bed frame and metal rails are sold on the bed pages.

What is the warranty on the PressureGuard Protocol?

Span lists 18 months, non-prorated, on the mattress, the coverlet, and the control unit for the original purchaser. Westin Healthcare processes the warranty work on our service and repairs page.