A protective system for a patient transport apparatus includes the patient transport apparatus with a base arranged for movement along floor surfaces and an intermediate frame coupled to the base and supporting a patient support deck. A mattress is disposed on the patient support deck. The protective system further includes a keeper coupled to the intermediate frame and further includes a cover having a first side configured to absorb fluid and a second side configured to at least partially limit fluid from transferring through the cover towards the first side. The cover is movable by a caregiver between three positions: (i) a stowed position secured within the keeper, (ii) an environmental deployed position with the first side facing towards the mattress, and (iii) a patient deployed position with the first side facing away from the mattress.