Choosing the right hospital bed is essential for ensuring patient comfort, safety, and well-being. With the wide range of options available, including manual, semi-electric, and fully electric beds, as well as various features and accessories, navigating through the choices can be time consuming.
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This guide will discuss important considerations such as safety features, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with other medical equipment as well as explore the different types hospital beds, their features, and benefits.
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For this guide, we have used the term &#;hospital bed&#; to describe the beds used for patient care. However, it is important to keep in mind that these beds can, and are, used in a variety of healthcare settings including long term care, mental health facilities, or ambulatory surgical centers.
Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital Bed
To ensure hospital beds meet the needs of both patients and caregivers effectively there are several factors that should be considered.
These include:
Bed Type: Consider whether a manual, semi-electric, or fully electric bed is most suitable for the intended use. Each type offers varying levels of adjustability and ease of use. Selecting the right type of hospital bed based on patient mobility and caregiver preference is important to ensuring the safety of both as well as the comfort of the patient.
Patient Needs: Assess the mobility limitations, medical conditions, and comfort requirements of the facility&#;s expected patient population. Choose hospital beds that offer the proper support, positioning options, and pressure relief for a wide range of patients and conditions.
Safety Features: Prioritize hospital beds equipped with features such as side rails, brake systems, and emergency controls. These features help prevent patient falls or other injuries.
Ease of Use: Hospital beds should be easy to operate for both patients and caregivers. Look for intuitive control mechanisms, accessible adjustment settings, and user-friendly features that simplify bed positioning, height adjustment, and other functions.
Durability and Quality: Invest in hospital beds constructed to accommodate a range of weight capacities as well as durable materials that can withstand frequent use and cleaning.
Compatibility with Accessories: Evaluate the hospital bed&#;s compatibility with accessories and equipment such as IV poles, overbed tables, and patient lifts.
Maintenance Requirements: Choose hospital beds with accessible components, removable parts, and easy to clean surfaces to facilitate sanitizing cleaning, maintenance, and service when needed.
Regulatory Compliance: Verify the hospital bed complies with relevant safety standards, regulations, and certifications set by regulatory bodies such as the Joint Commission.
Budget Considerations: Balance cost considerations with the quality and features best suited to the needs of the facility.
Careful consideration of these factors and conducting research to make informed decisions about the types of hospital beds available in the market can contribute to patient comfort, staff and patient safety, and higher levels of care.
Types of Hospital Beds
Hospital beds are available in several types, each offering different levels of adjustability, functionality, and features to accommodate the diverse needs of patients and caregivers.
Common types of hospital beds include:
Manual Hospital beds: Manual hospital beds use hand cranks or levers to adjust the bed&#;s height, as well as the head and foot positions. These beds are typically more affordable and suitable for patients who do not require frequent position changes.
Semi-Electric Hospital Bed: Semi-electric hospital beds feature electric controls for adjusting the bed&#;s height, while manual mechanisms are used to adjust the position of the head and foot. These beds offer greater convenience and ease of use compared to manual beds but do require some manual adjustment by healthcare professionals.
Fully Electric Hospital Bed: Fully electric beds offer effortless positioning with electric controls to adjust the height of the bed as well as the head and foot positions. These beds are ideal for patients who require frequent adjustment to safeguard their comfort as well as for easing the physical strain on the medical staff tending to patients.
Low Hospital Beds: With a lower height profile these hospital beds help reduce the risk of falls or injury to patients with mobility limitations. They are ideal for geriatric or extended care settings where the risk of falls is higher.
Bariatric Hospital Bed: Bariatric hospital beds are engineered to accommodate higher weight capacities with reinforced frames and wider mattresses to support larger patients safely and comfortably.
Pediatric Hospital Beds: Tailored to the unique needs of children, pediatric hospital beds feature smaller dimensions, colorful designs, and features adapted for smaller patients. These beds help ensure the safety of the smallest of patients.
Specialty Hospital Beds: Specialty hospital beds incorporate advanced features such as air mattresses, lateral rotation, Trendelenburg positioning, and pressure relief systems. These beds cater to specific medial needs such as intensive care, critical care, maternity, and wound care.
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Understanding the distinct types of hospital beds and their respective feature gives healthcare providers and professionals the knowledge to select beds that best serve the comfort and safety needs of their patient populations as well as the physical wellbeing of the medical staff caring for the patients.
Partnering with equipment distributors with hospital bed expertise is essential to assuring the highest quality bed, equipped with the features you need, for your budget.
Shop CME for a comprehensive selection of hospital beds
Partner with CME for Hospital Beds
As a nationally recognized medical equipment distributor and the only one focused solely on medical equipment, CME has built relationships with industry leading hospital bed manufacturers in the United States.
Our expert account managers will work with you and the manufacturers&#; representatives to ensure that you are purchasing the best hospital beds for your facility, at the best price for your budget.
Complementing CME&#;s focus on medical equipment are order management, direct-to-site delivery, and biomedical services. We are the only medical equipment distributor nationwide able to say we are truly a one-stop-shop.
Order Management Services
Working with administrators and procurement professionals, our single point of contact order management team can take the some of the stress out of purchasing hospital beds by working with manufacturers to ensure delivery dates are met and any issue that arise are resolved.
Direct-To-Site Logistics and Delivery Services
In addition to delivering medical equipment fully assembled when it is convenient for staff and clients, CME Direct-to-Site services can help take the stress out of large orders by receiving, inspecting and warehousing the order(s) for a single delivery. Our Direct-to-Site teams will deliver assembled hospital beds to their location in the facility and remove all packing debris, so the equipment is ready for immediate use.
Biomedical Services
Biomedical services have been at the heart of CME for over forty-five years. We are the only medical equipment distributor nationwide with an in-house team of biomedical technicians available to perform asset tagging, asset validation, hospital bed check-in, preventative maintenance, and repair.
Click CHAT to begin a conversation about your hospital bed needs.
About CME: CME Corp is the nation&#;s premier source for healthcare equipment, turnkey logistics, and biomedical services, representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. With two corporate offices and 35+ service centers, our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.
Author: Statewide Team
Date Posted: 12 March
Choosing a hospital bed for a care environment is a crossroads moment, and making the correct choice, that considers what the patient and care giver teams needs will be in the short, medium and long term is crucial to making a good decision.
This guide will help you understand what to think about so you can choose the right bed for your needs.
Adjustable Positions: The Heart of Comfort
Hospital beds are prized for their adjustability, enabling users to find the perfect position for rest, recovery, or treatment. Look for beds that offer multiple options such as head elevation, foot elevation, knee adjustments, comfort position and Trendelenburg tilt. These positioning feature&#;s not only enhances comfort but also aids circulation, alleviates pressure, and caters to specific positioning requirements.
Adjustable Positions: Caring for the Carer
Hospital beds with a hi lo function allow the laying surface of the bed to be positioned to ensure safe transferring of the patient to and from the bed.
Patients with enough strength, can utilise ½ Bed rails, bed sticks, and overhead monkey bars to individually position themselves in the bed, and to transfer to and from of the bed.
By using the electric features of the Hi Lo Hospital bed, carers can ensure that modern manual handling techniques (No Lift) policies are being employed in the care environment.
Electric or Manual Operation: Balance and Convenience
The mode of operation is a critical aspect. Electric hospital beds allow effortless adjustments through a hand controller, while manual beds are very s and rely on hand cranks. Opt for electric beds when ease of use is a priority, especially for those with limited mobility or caregivers with varying physical abilities.
Height Adjustability: Accessibility and Safety
An adjustable bed's height can be a game-changer. Particularly if the patient is a falls risk.
For patients with mobility issues or cognitive impairments, a floor-level bed eliminates the need for climbing or stepping down, promoting a safer environment, and minimizing the likelihood of falls.
Side Rails: Security and Peace of Mind
Safety is paramount, and side rails contribute significantly to it. These rails prevent accidental falls during sleep or while adjusting positions. Look for beds with easily adjustable and lockable side rails to ensure a secure environment, particularly for individuals prone to restlessness.
Weight Capacity: A Sturdy Foundation
Beds are designed to accommodate specific weight capacities. Ensure that the chosen bed can support the user's weight comfortably and safely. If the bed will be shared, consider the combined weight of users. Opting for a bed with a slightly higher weight capacity than required is advisable for added durability.
Mobility and Locking Casters: Flexibility and Stability
Mobility is an asset, especially when repositioning the bed or performing caregiving tasks. Hospital beds equipped with locking casters strike a balance between mobility and stability. You can easily move the bed when needed and secure it in place for added safety during use.
Mattress Type: Comfort and Support
Selecting an appropriate mattress complements the bed's functionality. Choose mattresses that cater to specific needs, such as pressure relief, comfort, and moisture management. Foam, innerspring, air, and gel mattresses each offer distinct advantages, so explore options based on individual requirements.
Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg: Therapeutic Angles
These features are particularly beneficial for individuals with specific medical needs. The Trendelenburg position involves elevating the feet higher than the head, while the reverse Trendelenburg position raises the head higher than the feet. These angles can aid in circulation, respiratory function, and overall comfort during rest.
Easy Cleaning and Maintenance: Hygiene and Longevity
Hospital beds need to be cleaned regularly to maintain a sanitary environment. Opt for beds with easily cleanable surfaces and materials that resist staining and wear. Beds with removable components and washable covers simplify maintenance and ensure longevity.
Budget Considerations: Value and Long-Term Investment
While it's important to find a bed that meets your needs, budget considerations are equally vital. Hospital beds vary in cost, and striking a balance between features and affordability is key. Consider the long-term benefits and potential savings in terms of care and comfort.
In Conclusion,
Purchasing a hospital bed requires careful consideration of a range of features that impact comfort, care, and overall well-being. Adjustable positions, ease of operation, safety measures, weight capacity, mobility options, mattress choice, therapeutic angles, and maintenance aspects should all factor into your decision. With these considerations in mind, you'll be equipped to select a hospital bed that ensures optimal comfort, facilitates quality care, and empowers a better quality of life for the user.
Thank you for trusting this blog as a source of information. Stay proactive, but never hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional with any questions or concerns.
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