Heel pressure management apparatus and method

A method for providing pressure relief on heels of a patient lying on a bed, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a mattress including at least two air filled bladders located adjacent a foot end, the bladders each having a predetermined, adjustable internal pressure;
• selectively and independently reducing the pressure in at least one of the bladders to provide pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress, the reducing step including the step of deflating the selected at least one bladder to a pressure of about zero psi;
• and
• adjusting an air volume within the at least one deflated bladder to maintain the air volume within the at least one deflated bladder at about 90% or greater of the total volume of the at least one deflated bladder.

A bed comprising:

• a mattress having a head end and a foot end, the mattress including a plurality of bladders, the bladders each having an independently adjustable internal pressure;
• a frame for supporting the mattress;
• a visual indicia located on the frame beneath at least two of the bladders adjacent the foot end of the mattress to provide a visual indication of the location of each of the at least two bladders in the mattress;
• and
• a pressure controller for selectively reducing pressure in at least one of the bladders located adjacent the foot end of the mattress based on the location of heels of a patient lying on the mattress relative to the visual indicia on the frame to provide pressure relief for on the heels of the patient.