Choosing the Right Medical Bed - Buying Guides MedicalExpo

There are two fundamental criteria to be taken into account when choosing a medical bed: the facility or unit in which the bed will be installed, and the type of patient who will be bedridden.

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Medical beds can be used for the following facilities or units:

• Homecare
• Care facilities such as retirement homes
• Intensive care units
• Nursing homes

When choosing a medical bed, it is important to look at the type of patient the bed will need to accommodate:

• Elderly people or people with reduced mobility (requiring a geriatric bed)
• Overweight people (requiring a bariatric bed)
• Pregnant women
• Children (requiring a pediatric bed)

There are several options available for a hospital bed. These can be related to the comfort of the patient and the caregivers, as well as ease of transport, safety, etc. Depending on the reason why the patient is bedridden, you will need to check the availability of the options below.

• Patient comfort: Several elements are important to accommodate patient positioning and comfort. These can include for example:
  • The number of sections
  • Tilting and reclining options: Trendelenburg, Reverse Trendelenburg, sitting position, etc.
  • A leg rest
  • The height of the bed: an ultra-low bed can, for example, make it easier for the patient to move around.

• Ergonomics for the caregiver: The comfort of the caregiver is also important and ergonomics can be improved with options such as:
  • A backrest that can be adjusted electrically rather than manually
  • A height-adjustable bed that can be adjusted electrically rather than manually
  • An integrated weighing scale
  • Integrated storage space.

• Ease of transport: the bed can offer several options for transporting patients easily between different hospital units:
  • On casters
  • Pedals accessible from either side of the bed to activate and deactivate the brakes
  • Motorized

• Patient safety: to enhance patient safety and prevent falls, the bed can come with the following options:
  • Removable bed rails
  • Safety alarms if the bed is empty
  • Ultra-low to prevent serious falls
  • CPR mode which allows, with a single button, to put the bed in horizontal position for resuscitation.

• Budget: the budget will obviously depend on the choice of bed and options according to your required use. Manual beds are cheaper than electric beds for example and may be suitable for patients who do not require many changes in position. Semi-electric beds can be a middle ground solution.

Homecare beds do not always require the same features as hospital beds. For example, more attention can be paid to the comfort and design. The important points to consider when choosing and purchasing a homecare bed are:

• Ease of use: some features make everyday use easier, such as electric tilting, easy backrest tilting, quick disassembly, etc.
• Modularity: you can choose a model with removable bed panels, clip-on bed rails, etc.
• Attractive design: in order for the bed to adapt to the style of the bedroom, manufacturers offer different models for further personalization, such as wooden finishes.
• Size: the dimensions of the bed and whether it has a single or double bed base are essential elements to take into account. The rule of thumb is to always choose a bed base that is longer than the patient’s height.

In addition to adjustable head and foot sections, the bed platform on some hospital beds can be raised and lowered vertically. This is an advantage if the patient will be looked after by a caregiver while lying in bed (for which a raised position is preferable), or who might fall out of bed in the night (for which a lowered position is preferable).

When looking for the best hospital beds for home use, you will need to consider:

• Whether the patient will use the bed independently or with help

• Whether the bed will be used temporarily or permanently

• The patient's height and weight

• The patient's specific abilities and limitations

• Any additional features required

Power Options: Manual, Semi-Electric, and Full-Electric

The way in which a hospital bed is powered affects the relative ease or difficulty of making adjustments as well as the price of a hospital bed rental or purchase. Manual beds are usually the most cost-effective type of hospital bed but require a caregiver with sufficient strength to operate a hand crank. Semi-electric and full-electric hospital beds come with a higher price tag but can be adjusted by the patient without help.

Manual Hospital Beds

Before the powered hospital bed was invented in , manual hospital beds with hand cranks were the norm in hospitals around the United States. Like powered versions, a manual hospital bed has head and foot sections with hinges that can be raised and lowered independently of each other. Most manual beds can also be raised and lowered relative to the floor. In both cases, the angle or height of the bed is adjusted using a hand crank.

Best For...

A manual hospital bed could be right for you if you want to rent an adjustable bed temporarily and will have a strong caregiver to operate the cranks. This type of hospital bed could also be appropriate if the bed frame won't need to be adjusted often, such as if the bed is intended simply as a place to rest and read books in the afternoon.

Semi-Electric Hospital Beds

Semi-electric beds typically use powered controls and a motor to adjust the head and foot sections of the bed frame and a manual crank to change the bed’s height. The controls are located on a handset. It's important to note that some semi-electric hospital beds are at a fixed height with head and foot sections that move but have no option to move the entire bed frame up or down.

Best For...

A semi-electric hospital bed is best for a patient who needs a bed that they can operate independently or whose caregiver isn't strong enough to operate hand cranks. In addition, the patient should also be mentally sound and unlikely to fall out of bed.

Full-Electric Hospital Beds

Full-electric hospital beds offer the same head and foot adjustability as semi-electric beds except that there are no manual cranks involved. A fully electric hospital bed can be adjusted at the head and feet and the entire bed frame can be moved up and down—all at the touch of a button. 

Some full-electric bed models allow the user to assume a Trendelenburg or reverse-Trendelenburg position with the entire body tilted either upward or downward. These positions can be helpful for patients with blood-flow issues and for those who struggle to get out of bed, but should only be used for a few minutes at a time and ideally under medical supervision.

Best For...

A full-electric hospital bed is best for people who will need a home hospital bed long-term, who receive assistance from a caregiver, or who need or prefer to operate the bed independently. While they represent a significant investment, these beds are the most practical both for caregivers and for patients who use a mobility device.

Specialty Hospital Beds

In addition to the three main types of hospital bed, there are two kinds of specialty beds that are typically of the full-electric variety.

Low Hospital Beds

Low hospital beds—when lowered completely—are designed to sit a mere foot off the floor. This can be ideal for patients with dementia who might try to climb over bed rails during the night and fall off. They can also be used to assist with a safe floor-to-stand transfer. Tall patients, however, will need to determine whether the height of a low hospital bed would make it difficult to stand up.

Bariatric Hospital Beds

For patients who need a higher weight capacity, a bariatric hospital bed might be best. Bariatric hospital beds are made with strong, reinforced materials such as steel for the base and come with a wider frame and mattress for comfort and support. Whereas a typical hospital bed has a weight capacity of 325 lbs, a bariatric hospital bed might have a weight capacity of 500 lbs.

Mattress Type

Mattresses for hospital beds are typically made from memory foam, latex, or a hybrid material and are usually around 6 inches thick. Whereas innerspring mattresses are common on regular beds, they would be too rigid to move with a hospital bed frame, which is why a foam mattress is used.

When looking for a medical mattress, look for one that's the right size for the bed frame and has a waterproof vinyl covering that's easy to clean and sanitize. For long-term use, use a pressure redistribution mattress or overlay to prevent the development of bed sores.

Accessories

Most hospital beds should come with handrails—either half or full—to prevent the patient from rolling out of bed. Some also come with a trapeze bar to help the patient change position or stand up and an over-bed table for eating in bed. If there's a particular accessory you value in a home hospital bed, be sure to ask the retailer whether the accessory is included or can be rented or purchased separately.

New vs. Used

People in the market for a home hospital bed usually have the choice of a rental bed, new hospital bed, or second-hand hospital bed (sold on websites such as eBay). If you are thinking of purchasing a hospital bed secondhand, it's important to be aware that the bed may be infected with disease or not working as it should. We generally recommend buying a new hospital bed for home use or renting one from a reputable company that thoroughly checks and cleans each bed before delivery.

FDA Entrapment Guidelines

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a set of hospital bed guidelines in March to reduce the risk of patient entrapment. While these are only guidelines and are not mandatory, it's in your best interest to look for a hospital bed that meets these guidelines and has been tested for safety.

Recommended Hospital Beds for Home Use

By now, you probably have some idea of the type of hospital bed that might be suitable for your situation. However, there are a few hospital beds that we particularly recommend and stock in our Denver, Colorado inventory.

Invacare Semi-Electric Hospital Bed

This is a sturdy hospital bed made from reinforced steel with riveted joints and washable, scratch-resistant bed panels. The hand pendant that contains the power controls is ergonomic with a water-resistant casing and a heavy-duty cord. Rubber casters protect the floor and other surfaces in the home from marks and prevent the wheels from slipping. Beds manufactured after August 1, meet the voluntary FDA guidelines for bed rail entrapment.

Specifications

• Size: Twin (80" x 36")

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• Weight capacity: 325 lbs

• Height capacity: 6'5"

• Adjustments: Head and foot

• Mattress: Therapeutic foam

• Power: Electric

• Availability: Rental and sale

Transfer Master Supernal 3-Function

The Transfer Master Supernal 3-Function is a full-electric hospital bed with height, foot, and vertical adjustability. If you've been struggling to decide between a hospital bed vs. adjustable bed for long-term use, this model is the ideal choice—with the electronic components carefully hidden, the Supernal 3-Function looks like a traditional bed. 

In addition to all of the functions of a full-electric hospital bed (including a wide vertical height range), this hospital bed has:

• A range of massage settings

• A backlit wireless hand control

• Wall-hugging design for easy nightstand access

• European-style head tilt

• Emergency power-down function

Specifications

• Size: Twin (38″ x 80″), Full (53″ x 80″), Queen (60″ x 80″), and Dual King

• Weight capacity: 400 lbs or 500 lbs

• Height Capacity: 6'5"

• Adjustments: Head (65°), foot (35°), hi-low

• Mattress: Ascent Mattress (cloth or vinyl), Soft Touch Mattress (cloth or vinyl), Pressure Guard Mattress

• Power: Electric

• Availability: Purchase

• Extras: This hospital bed can be purchased with optional half rails (head only), bamboo rail covers, and battery backup.

Transfer Master Supernal 5-Function

If you're looking for the complete range of hospital-bed and adjustable functions with an elegant finish, the Transfer Master Supernal 5-Function has it all. This home hospital bed has all the features of the Transfer Master Supernal 3-Function plus Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, and cardiac chair positions. The top-of-the-range model that Transfer Master offers, this home hospital bed is both aesthetically beautiful and medically versatile. 

Specifications

• Size: Twin (38″ x 80″), Full (53″ x 80″), Queen (60″ x 80″), and Dual King

• Weight capacity: 300 lbs

• Height Capacity: 6'5"

• Adjustments: Head (65°), foot (35°), hi-low, Trendelenburg (10°) and reverse Trendelenburg (10°), cardiac chair

• Deck-to-floor height range: 12" – 24"

• Mattress: Ascent Mattress (cloth or vinyl), Soft Touch Mattress (cloth or vinyl), Pressure Guard Mattress

• Power: Electric

• Availability: Purchase

• Optional extras: half rails (head only), bamboo rail covers, cherry finish headboard, and battery backup

• Compatible with most low-profile Hoyer patient lift systems.

Comfort and Convenience Are Close at Hand

As we've seen, there is an excellent range of hospital beds for home use that come with a variety of features, functions, power options, positions, and styles. Determining what is the best hospital bed for home use in your case will ultimately depend on your timeline, medical needs, budget, and personal preference. 

For temporary use, the Invacare semi-electric hospital bed is a solid and cost-effective choice. For permanent use, it's hard to go past the Transfer Master series. With their stylish elegance, comfort, and full adjustability (not to mention built-in massage!), these beds are the clear winners in every respect.

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