MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — The specialty bariatric stretchers operated by Aetna and ASM have now been equipped with Stryker’s Expandable Patient Surface (or XPS) system.

The XPS System consists of a new wider mattress and new side rails that fold out instead of down. The side rails are not intended to support the patient primary body weight. Instead they are intended to enhance patient comfort.

According to the Stryker website, “XPS is adjustable with seven locking positions and includes a wider mattress that reduces transfer gap and designed with patient comfort in mind. This solution helps address growing obesity trends and supports a variety of patients and environments.”