Hospital beds are designed and constructed to provide safety, comfort, and mobility for a broad range of patients with varying conditions and treatment plans. While the adaptability and versatility of hospital beds and related safety devices allow caregivers to meet the diverse needs of their patients; care must be taken to ensure necessary user training, inspection protocols, and routine maintenance and safety checks are followed.
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Falls are the most common type of incident associated with hospital beds, however pressure injuries and entrapments are also notable safety concerns. In this article, Christian Mongrain, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Durable Medical Equipment Expert, provides an overview of hospital bed injuries and proper safety.
Hospital beds are the most common type of durable medical equipment. Despite their name, hospital beds are also used beyond the acute hospital; namely in rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and private residences. Given their prolific use, injuries involving hospital beds are not uncommon. These injuries can occur while a patient is positioned in a stationary bed, being transported in a bed, or being transferred into or out of a bed. In this article, the term &#;patient&#; refers to a person receiving care at a health care facility or at a residence, such as a private home or nursing home.
The FDA and the HBSW (Hospital Bed Safety Workshop) have released several informative documents providing guidance for hospital bed safety and strategies for mitigating risks. The Department of Health in several states has chosen to incorporate these documents into their protocol for health care providers.
Hospital bed anatomy & safety features
Bed frame features such as height and position adjustments, casters, and adjustable bed rails distinguish hospital beds from standard beds. Modern hospital beds incorporate a range of safety features that are designed to protect against fall and pressure injuries, assist with patient positioning and mobility, and alert caregivers of a potential mishap. The benefits of these safety features can only be realized through proper training of caregivers and reinforcement of safety protocols.
Patient height, weight, ability to move, diagnosis, and comorbidities must be considered when choosing a hospital bed. After identifying a bed that meets the anthropometric and capacity needs of the patient, providers utilize risk assessment tools (such as the Morse Fall Scale and Braden Risk Assessment Tool) to determine if a patient requires a specialized bed with safety features to assist in preventing falls and/or pressure injuries.
Adjustable settings
Adjustable height settings are a fundamental safety feature of hospital beds. Raising the bed height can reduce the need for patient assistance when standing from a sitting position. Adjusting the bed height can enable a patient to improve balance while seated at the edge of the bed, and lowering the bed height to its lowest height position can reduce the severity of injury in the event of a fall.
Hospital bed frames are usually repositionable in segments. The head of the bed can often be raised independent of the segment of the bed supporting the lower extremities. An additional function enables the knee portion of the bed to be elevated, thereby preventing a patient from sliding into a slouched posture when the head of the bed is elevated. Proper positioning affects the quality of a patient&#;s respirations and is essential for patients suffering from pulmonary compromise due to disease, illness, or injury. Caution, however, must be used when using the adjustable settings on a hospital bed when seating a patient on the edge of the bed as it can create an uneven surface affecting seated balance.
Hospital bed mattress options
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Hospital beds commonly have a standard mattress consisting of foam and springs, encased in a protective impermeable cover. To accommodate specific patient needs, several alternative surface options are available. The most common alternative mattress is known as an &#;air mattress.&#; Air mattresses are one intervention commonly assigned to patients having wounds or at risk for pressure injury. Air mattresses are usually powered by external blowers which enable the air pressure within the mattress to be increased or decreased, thereby adjusting the firmness of the mattress. When adjusted appropriately, air mattresses allow a patient to partially &#;sink&#; into the mattress accomplishing distribution of pressure over a greater surface area of a patient&#;s body. When adjusted too firm or too soft, however, the intended benefits of an air mattress can be negated and lead to new or progression of existing pressure injuries.
While air mattresses can offer the patient improved skin protection, they can be more difficult for patient transfer due to surface instability and lower surface friction. Air mattress characteristics and features vary by manufacturer, and should be considered when selecting this intervention to address patient risks.
Settings such as bed height, mattress positioning, and firmness are utilized to maximize comfort and safety for the individual patient&#;s needs. Some specialty mattresses include options for rotation, oscillation, and percussion to assist with managing respiratory secretions. Alternative bed surfaces can optimize skin protection; however they do require appropriate operator settings and do not replace regular repositioning which would relieve pressure on vulnerable areas.
Hospital bed rails & safety devices
Rails on hospital beds are adjustable and are often used to assist in turning and repositioning patients, providing a secure hold grasp for patients, and reducing the risk of fall injuries. However, rails are also associated with strangulation and entrapment injuries, pressure injuries, and more serious fall incidents if a patient climbs/rolls over the barrier or if the rails are not appropriately positioned. Bed rails are not intended as attachment points for restraints. Assessment by the patient&#;s health care team is necessary to determine if and how rails should be utilized to keep the patient safe.
Additional safety devices used in conjunction with hospital beds include floor safety mats, alarms, bolsters, and lighting. Floor mats can be used to attenuate impact in the event of a fall and various alarms can be used to notify health care providers if a patient has left the bed or changed positions. Bolsters or wedges are used for positioning to reduce pressure injuries, and can also provide safety against falls. Specialized lighting can be used to reduce patient confusion associated with waking in a dark unlit room. The patient&#;s care team is responsible for determining the necessary and appropriate hospital bed safety devices that meet the individualized needs of the patient.
Maintenance and inspections
Hospital beds are considered Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and require routine inspection and maintenance. Federal or State laws and regulations (including Life Safety Code requirements adopted as part of Federal regulations) may either require that equipment maintenance (including maintenance, inspection and testing) be performed in accordance with the manufacturer&#;s recommendations, or establish other maintenance requirements. Bed manufacturers and the Department of Health and Human Services direct owners to have hospital beds inspected by a qualified professional, such as a clinical or biomedical technician or engineer.
Common areas for inspection and maintenance include:
All hospital bed incidents must be reported to the bed manufacturer and/or the FDA. The FDA tracks Durable Medical Equipment incidents, issues consumer alerts, and determines if further action is needed (up to and including issuing a recall) based upon the frequency and severity of unintended events.
Incidents involving hospital beds often occur due to provider error or mechanical failure. An investigation of the hospital bed, care records, and witness reports can help determine the cause of the incident. The health care experts at Robson Forensic can analyze the causation behind hospital bed mishaps and the address the relevant standards of care.
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Some companies are at the top of making hospital beds. They make beds that help patients heal and stay safe in their own unique ways!SonderCare was established more than 20 years ago and brings a unique blend of luxury and functionality to the hospital bed market. They specialize in creating beds that not only meet medical standards but also provide the aesthetics and comfort of home furniture. SonderCare beds are designed with features that promote patient dignity and well-being, such as adjustable height settings, built-in massage options, and elegant wooden finishes. Their beds also incorporate advanced technology for patient monitoring and ease of use, making them an excellent choice for both home care, retirement/assisted living and certified even for healthcare facilities. By focusing on enhancing the overall patient experience, SonderCare ensures that comfort and care go hand in hand, reaching the status of a long term and trustworthy player in the hospital bed industry.Hill-Rom, established in , is a well-known provider of medical equipment for hospitals and long-term care. They produce smart beds equipped with sensors and connectivity features designed to monitor patients and address potential issues proactively.Stryker products are used in various settings, including surgery and acute care, and are integral to many medical services. Stryker&#;s beds incorporate medical technology to help ensure patient safety and comfort during recovery.Invacare, established in , provides technology and design aimed at enhancing patient care and comfort. They have developed advanced positioning systems and user-friendly interfaces mostly in clinical settings or low cost homecare settings.Medline is known in the hospital furniture industry for providing practical and cost-effective solutions. They offer beds like the Alterra, which include adjustable features to enhance patient comfort but mostly on the low cost durable equipment end of the spectrum.Joerns Healthcare stands out with over 130 years of bringing innovations to patient care. They prioritize product innovation and customer service, making them a reliable pick for hospitals. Their beds come with integrated bed exit alarms to ensure patient safety, showing their commitment to not just comfort but also security. Next up is Linet Group, which pushes the boundaries in hospital bed technology.Moving from Joerns Healthcare&#;s focus on safety, Linet Group steps up as a top player in the global hospital bed industry. This company stands out by delivering beds with advanced features like integrated scales and lateral tilt functions. These innovations help in providing top-notch patient care. Linet Group has made its mark worldwide by serving healthcare needs across more than 100 countries. They invest heavily in new technologies to ensure that healthcare facilities can offer the best for their patients&#; comfort and care. With products designed to meet modern medical demands, Linet Group supports critical aspects of patient management, including monitoring and resuscitation efforts. By focusing on these areas, they affirm their position as a global leader in developing hospital beds that cater to both patient and medical staff requirements efficiently.SonderCare brings a unique blend of luxury and functionality to the hospital bed market. They specialize in creating beds that not only meet medical standards but also provide the aesthetics and comfort of home furniture.SonderCare focuses on combining German engineering with high-end features, offering beds that enhance patient comfort and dignity. Their beds are designed with elegant wood grain finishes, smooth and quiet motors, and adjustable height settings. This approach ensures that patients feel at home while receiving the necessary medical care.SonderCare beds incorporate precision German engineering to provide an unparalleled level of comfort and functionality. These beds feature infinite position adjustments, allowing for customized support and positioning to meet individual patient needs. The user-friendly controls ensure ease of use, making them ideal for both home care and healthcare facilities. By focusing on enhancing the overall patient experience with high-end features and meticulous design, SonderCare ensures that comfort and care go hand in hand, making them a notable player in the hospital bed industry.Hill-Rom and Stryker are among the companies introducing smart hospital beds with sensors and connectivity features, aiming to revolutionize patient monitoring. While these beds can track vital signs, movements, and automatically adjust for patient comfort, it is important to consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks of this technology. The adoption of smart hospital beds with advanced features comes with several potential drawbacks and limitations. These include the high cost of implementation and maintenance, which may strain healthcare budgets, as well as potential incompatibility with certain patient conditions or needs, rendering the technology less effective in some cases. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding the long-term reliability and accuracy of the sensor technology used in these beds, which may lead to false alarms or missed alerts. Furthermore, an overreliance on technology may result in reduced personal attention from healthcare staff, potentially compromising the quality of patient care and the human touch that is essential in the healing process. While these smart beds show promise, healthcare providers must carefully evaluate the technology&#;s suitability for their specific needs and patient populations. Traditional fall prevention programs and pressure ulcer prevention strategies should not be neglected in favor of solely relying on smart bed technology.Invacare and Medline offer hospital beds with advanced features aimed at enhancing patient care and comfort. Their beds include adjustable positioning systems, intuitive interfaces, and smart technology for real-time data collection. When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of hospital beds offered by Invacare and Medline compared to other brands or traditional hospital beds, healthcare facilities must carefully consider several factors. These include the initial purchase price, ongoing maintenance costs from some lower cost models, and potential savings from improved patient outcomes and reduced staff workload. Compatibility with existing hospital infrastructure and protocols is another crucial consideration, as the seamless integration of these beds into the current treatment ecosystem is essential for their successful implementation and use. Moreover, the introduction of advanced features may necessitate additional staff training to ensure optimal utilization and to maximize the benefits for patient care.When considering these types of hospital beds, care providers must weigh several key factors to ensure the best outcomes for patients and staff alike. For instance, bed exit alarms, like those offered by Joerns Healthcare, can be a valuable tool in preventing falls, but their effectiveness should be evaluated alongside other proven safety measures. A comprehensive approach that includes regular patient monitoring, fall risk assessments, and environmental modifications may yield the best results. Introducing similar advanced features, such as those pioneered by Linet Group, requires a commitment to staff training and ongoing support. A final thing to consider with these and the other mentioned brands is the fact that they do not offer the style and dignity of a residential style bed like SonderCare can offer with the same certification as these other brands.When it comes to choosing the best hospital bed for your healthcare facility or home care needs, SonderCare stands out as the clear winner. By seamlessly blending luxury, comfort, and advanced functionality, SonderCare beds offer an unparalleled patient experience. Their commitment to using high-quality materials, elegant designs, and precision German engineering ensures that patients receive the support and dignity they deserve during their recovery process. While other manufacturers like Hill-Rom, Stryker, Invacare, Medline, Joerns Healthcare, and Linet Group offer various features and benefits, none can match the perfect balance of style, comfort, and medical-grade quality that SonderCare provides. With SonderCare, you can rest assured that you&#;re investing in a bed that not only meets the highest standards of patient care but also promotes a sense of well-being and peace of mind. So, when it comes to choosing a hospital bed that truly puts patient comfort and dignity first, look no further than SonderCare &#; the ultimate choice for those who demand the very best.
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