Hospital Bed Costs: The Real Price Of Comfort

Hospital Bed

How much for a hospital bed costs?Choosing the right hospital bed can be more complicated than it seems—there are so many options and price ranges to consider! Whether you’re looking for a simple manual bed or a high-tech fully electric model, understanding the costs and features can make a big difference. But how do you decide what’s best for your needs? Let’s see the real price of comfort and explore the different options available.

Types of Hospital Beds and Their Costs

When choosing a hospital bed, it’s important to understand the wide range of options and costs. Hospital Beds vary in style and price, catering to different needs, from basic manual beds to advanced models with many features.

Manual Hospital Beds

  • Cost Range: $500 to $1,000
  • Features: These beds require physical effort to adjust the head, foot, and height using hand cranks. They have no electrical components, making them an affordable choice.
  • Suitability: Manual beds are ideal for short-term use or when budget is a priority.

manual hospital bed costs

SEMI-ELECTRIC HOSPITAL BEDS

  • Cost Range: $800 to $2,000
  • Features: These beds allow for electric adjustments of the head and foot sections, but the height is adjusted manually.
  • Suitability: Semi-electric beds offer more comfort without the higher cost of fully electric models, making them a good option for those who need extra convenience without a high price.

Fully Electric Hospital Beds

  • Cost Range: $1,200 to $4,000
  • Features: Fully electric beds offer controls for all adjustments, including head, foot, and height, often with a remote for added convenience.
  • Suitability: These beds are great for long-term use, providing maximum comfort and ease of use for patients and caregivers. For example, the Medline Medlite Full Electric Hospital Bed Package, priced around CA$1,499, includes the bed, rails, and mattress.

grace medy electric hospital bed costs

Adjustable Height Hospital Beds

  • Cost Range: $2,500 to $6,000
  • Features: These beds offer adjustable height for easy access and are typically fully electric.
  • Suitability: Ideal for various care needs, including low entry for easier transfer, these beds provide flexibility for caregivers. The PrimeCare P703 Hospital Bed, priced around CA$2,499, has a 7″ minimum height and includes a bed and mattress.

Heavy-Duty Hospital Beds

  • Cost Range: $3,000 to $10,000
  • Features: Designed for heavier patients, these beds have a reinforced frame, wider surface, and specialized mattresses.
  • Suitability: These beds are suitable for individuals with a higher weight capacity (often 500 lbs or more). For example, the PrimeCare P903 Hospital Bed, priced around CA$3,399, supports a 600 lbs user weight capacity and offers expandable width and length.

Specialized Hospital Beds

  • Cost Range: $4,000 to $18,000
  • Features: These beds include unique features like low entry, rotation therapy, and ICU functionalities.
  • Suitability: These beds are best for patients with specialized care needs, requiring advanced features for comfort and medical care.

Refurbished Hospital Beds

  • Cost Range: $2,000 to $6,000
  • Features: These are refurbished beds from well-known brands, restored to full functionality.
  • Suitability: A more affordable option for those who need a hospital bed but prefer a lower-cost alternative to new equipment.

Additional Costs

  • Mattresses: $300 to $2,000 (depending on type and quality)
  • Railings: $50 to $1,000 (depending on type and functionality)
  • Electronic Controls & Accessories: $100 – variable costs

These types of Hospital beds cater to different patient needs and budgets. Understanding the features and costs helps in selecting the right bed for comfort, care, and long-term use.

When purchasing, dealers need to consider not only the type of hospital beds they purchase, but also the strength of the manufacturer. Sometimes a strong hospital bed manufacturer can save you a lot of steps. The right manufacturer can provide you with a one-stop service, providing you with a combination of different types of hospital beds and matching hospital furniture, including other operating room equipment (Operating tables, operating lights and emergency carts), rehabilitation equipment (Wheelchairs, walkers), etc., saving you costs.

Additional Costs Associated with Hospital Beds

When calculating the total cost of a hospital bed, several additional expenses need to be considered beyond the initial price. These costs can add up quickly, increasing the overall cost of ownership.

Delivery and Installation Costs

  • Delivery Costs: The cost to deliver a hospital bed ranges from $100 to $2,000, depending on location and the provider’s shipping policies.
  • Installation Fees: Installation can cost $50 to $1,000, though some sellers may include this service in the price.

Maintenance and Service Costs

Routine maintenance and servicing are important to keep the bed functioning properly. These costs can be either flat-rate or monthly, depending on usage and the type of service plan selected.

Additional Accessories for Hospital Beds

Several accessories may be needed to improve the comfort and functionality of a hospital bed. These include:

  • Mattresses: Mattresses range from $300 to $2,000, depending on the type (e.g., foam, gel, air pressure systems).
  • Railings: Prices for railings range from $50 to $1,000, depending on design and features like adjustability and safety functions.

  • Electronic Controls & Accessories: Additional electronic controls, such as adjustable height and position features, can cost $100 to several hundred dollars, depending on complexity.

These additional costs should be factored into your budget for a hospital bed, as they can significantly affect the total cost of ownership.

Factors Influencing Hospital Bed Costs

The cost of hospital beds depends on several factors, from the materials used to the level of medical services provided. Below are the key elements that affect hospital bed pricing.

Materials and Durability

High-quality hospital beds are made from durable materials designed for long-term use. While these materials are more expensive, they contribute to the overall higher cost of the bed. Beds made from these materials can last for years without compromising safety or comfort, making them a good investment for hospitals.

Specialized Features

Beds designed for specific medical needs, such as bariatric or orthopedic beds, include features that raise their cost. These beds often offer electric adjustments for head and foot sections, manual height adjustments, and additional features like low entry points, rotation therapy, and ICU capabilities. For example, specialty hospital beds range from $4,000 to $18,000, while bariatric beds typically cost between $3,000 and $10,000.

Brand Reputation

Brand reputation plays a significant role in the price of hospital beds. Established brands known for their quality and reliability, such as Grace Medy, tend to cost more due to their proven track record. These brands offer added confidence in durability and performance, justifying the higher price.

Technological Innovations

Technological advancements integrated into hospital beds can significantly increase their price. Beds with features like adjustable positions, remote controls, massage functions, and pressure relief systems improve patient comfort and care. For instance, a full electric hospital bed with remote control for easy adjustments typically costs between $1,200 and $4,000.

Conclusion

Understanding the true cost of hospital beds, both occupied and empty, is key to improving hospital efficiency and managing healthcare resources. Empty beds alone account for about 18 percent of total hospital costs, or around $546 per admission (in 1987 dollars). This remains a significant expense that impacts hospital budgets today.

Economic Considerations of Hospital Beds

  • Empty Beds: The marginal cost of an empty bed is low, but it still contributes significantly to overall expenses, especially in larger hospitals. For CEOs, the value of a ward bed day is about $216, and an ICU bed day is valued at $436, which is lower than traditional accounting costs.
  • Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: How bed days are valued affects cost-effectiveness assessments. Overvaluing bed days can lead to inaccurate estimates of savings, distorting conclusions about healthcare efficiency.
  • Opportunity Costs: Accurately estimating the opportunity cost of releasing hospital beds helps evaluate if resources could be better used elsewhere, such as reducing hospital-acquired infections or improving patient care programs.

By properly valuing bed days, hospitals can make better decisions, optimize resources, and reduce unnecessary costs while ensuring high-quality care for patients.