The Egerton Convertible II and the Elite 3 bed system.

Low air loss bed systems have proved successful in the management of severe pressure sores but they tend to be expensive. The Convertible II promises to provide many of the features of a low air loss bed at a much reduced cost. It is essentially a mattress replacement that can be used for various beds, including contouring-base beds. It is a component of the Elite 3 bed system which comprises an electrically powered contouring bed (with its own air pump) and three different mattresses: the mattress of the Convertible II is Mattress 3 of this system; Mattress 2 is an alternating-pressure air mattress; and Mattress 1 is a static air mattress with a foam envelope. The advantages and disadvantages of these products are discussed and it is suggested that the allocation of patients to the various supports can be facilitated by using a pressure sore risk-assessment score.