Need your input!

i am doing a research paper for school about the use of pressure relief mattresses. i would like to know if there is a certain methodology as to why it can be so difficult to get a mattress for anything less than a stage 3. i work home care and have to go through the ringer to get padding for a chair or bed. i have heard from others that work in facilities that they are having difficulty also. it seems that some patients have to have serious wounds in order to qualify and by that point so much is being spent on additional dressing supplies. can anyone shed some light on as to why this is? i would appreciate any opinions out there.

one word "budget!"

if it were inexpensive, everyone would have one. insurances have policies for eligible requirements ie., stage 3 as you stated above. those beds can go up to $10,000.00 i've seen it. some health care centers invest on cheap ones that they can randomly use whenever needed, like the company i work for. they use roho and some cheap one.