How to select a hospital bed for long-term care?
How to select a hospital bed for long-term care?Choosing the right hospital bed for long-term care is an important decision that impacts comfort and care.
Types of Long-Term Care Hospital Beds
Long-term care Hospital Beds are designed to support patients who need ongoing medical care or assistance at home. These beds come in three main types:
Manual Beds
Manual Hospital beds are adjusted by hand cranks. You need to physically turn the cranks to change the bed’s position, making them the most affordable option. However, they can be inconvenient if the patient needs frequent adjustments throughout the day.
Semi-Electric Beds
Semi-electric beds let you adjust the head and foot of the bed electrically, while the bed height is still controlled manually. This type offers a balance of cost and function, providing some automation for comfort without the higher price of Fully Electric Beds.
Fully Electric Beds
Fully electric beds allow full electronic control over all adjustments, including bed height, and head and foot positions. They offer the most convenience, especially for patients who need frequent repositioning. However, they are the most expensive option.
When choosing a long-term care hospital bed, consider factors like the patient’s specific needs, the caregiver’s ability to adjust the bed, available room space, and budget. It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional to help you choose the best bed for the patient’s condition and lifestyle.
Key Features to Consider
When choosing a hospital bed for long-term care, there are several important features to ensure safety, comfort, and ease of use for both the patient and the caregiver.
Height Adjustability of hospital bed
A bed with a height range of 7-30 inches provides safety by allowing the bed to be lowered close to the floor to reduce fall risks. Higher positions are better for caregivers, making it easier to assist the patient.
Weight Capacity
Hospital beds typically support 450-600 lbs, enough for the patient, mattress, and any additional medical equipment. Bariatric models are available for patients with special needs, offering even higher weight capacities.
Positioning Options
Beds with multiple electric adjustments, like head/foot elevation and Trendelenburg features, improve patient comfort and support better medical care.
Side Rails
Consider the patient’s mobility when selecting side rails. You can choose from full-length, half-length, or collapsible rails. The right option helps reduce fall risks while providing necessary support.
Mattress Compatibility
Ensure the bed frame works with specialized mattresses, such as pressure-relief or alternating pressure models, if needed for the patient’s condition.
Durability and Warranty
Look for beds with warranties ranging from 10-15 years. A longer warranty suggests higher-quality construction, making it a smart investment for long-term care.
Mobility Features
Lockable wheels make it easy to move the bed within the room. Some models come with transport features, allowing for easy relocation when necessary.
Benefits of Long-Term Care Beds
Long-term care beds come with important features that improve patient comfort, safety, and care. Here are some key benefits:
Adjustable Positioning
Long-term care beds have adjustable positions, which help patients stay comfortable and lower the risk of pressure ulcers. You can adjust the head, foot, and height of the bed, which improves body alignment and reduces pressure.
Electric Controls for Easy Use
Most long-term care beds come with electric controls that allow patients or caregivers to change the bed’s position with a simple push of a button. Many models also include handheld remotes for even more convenience.
Safety Features with Side Rails
For added safety, many long-term care beds are equipped with side rails. These rails help with repositioning and reduce the risk of falls. You can choose between full-length, half-length, and collapsible rails, depending on the level of support needed.
High Weight Capacities
Long-term care beds are built to support bariatric patients, with weight capacities usually ranging from 350 to 600 lbs. This ensures a secure and comfortable sleeping environment for patients of all sizes.
Low Heights to Reduce Fall Risks
Beds with low heights (7-13 inches from the floor) can greatly lower the risk of falls, especially when patients are getting in or out of bed.
Built-in Scales for Easy Weighing
Some models come with built-in scales, allowing patients to be weighed without needing to move them from the bed. This makes routine checks easier for caregivers.
Trendelenburg Positioning for Medical Needs
The Trendelenburg positioning option lets the entire bed frame tilt, so you can raise the legs or head, as needed for certain medical conditions or patient comfort.
Long Lifespan and Usage in the Industry
A 2019 survey of long-term care facilities found that 87% use electric beds, and 62% use beds with built-in scales. With proper care, a long-term care bed can last 8-10 years.
These features make long-term care beds essential for providing quality care to patients who need ongoing support.
Choosing the Right Bed
When choosing a hospital bed for long-term care, there are a few important things to consider. A good bed can improve comfort, safety, and ease of use for both the patient and the caregiver.
Bed Type
You can choose between manual, semi-electric, or fully electric beds.
Fully electric beds are the easiest to adjust. They are perfect for patients with limited mobility.
Semi-electric beds have motorized adjustments but require manual control to change the bed’s height.
Manual beds are the simplest and most affordable, but caregivers need to put in physical effort to make adjustments.
Weight Capacity
Hospital beds come in different weight capacities.
– Standard beds support between 350-450 lbs, while bariatric beds can hold up to 1000 lbs or more.
Make sure the bed can support the patient’s weight and any extra equipment they need.
Dimensions
Hospital beds usually measure 36″ x 80″, but you can find wider options.
– If the patient needs more space, look for beds in the 42″-54″ range.
Measure the room to ensure the bed fits comfortably.
Adjustability
A good hospital bed should offer several position options:
Head elevation: 0-90 degrees
Knee elevation: 0-40 degrees
Trendelenburg/Reverse Trendelenburg: ±12-18 degrees
Hi-Lo height range: 7″-30″ from the floor
These adjustments help improve comfort and assist with medical treatments.
Safety Features
Hospital beds should have safety features like:
– Side rails: Full-length or half-length, depending on the patient’s needs.
– Locking wheels: To prevent the bed from moving accidentally.
– Emergency manual crank: Allows the bed to be adjusted manually if the power fails.
– Low bed height: Helps reduce the risk of falls.
Mattress Compatibility
Look for a bed that works with special mattresses, like pressure-relieving or Alternating Pressure Mattresses. These help prevent bedsores and improve comfort for long-term patients.
Additional Features
Consider these useful features:
Built-in scales: To monitor the patient’s weight.
Integrated bed exit alarms: To alert caregivers if the patient tries to get out of bed.
Under-bed lighting: Helps prevent accidents in low-light conditions.
Ease of Cleaning
Choose beds with smooth surfaces and few crevices to make cleaning easier and help control infections.
Cost Considerations
Hospital bed prices vary:
Manual beds typically cost between $500-$1000.
Fully electric models can range from $3000-$5000 or more.
Think about the bed’s durability and the savings from less caregiver strain when evaluating the cost.
Popular Long-Term Care Bed Brands
When selecting a long-term care bed, it’s important to choose high-quality brands that provide durable, easy-to-use beds. Some of the most popular brands include Grace Medy, Stryker, Invacare, Joerns Healthcare, and Drive DeVilbiss. These brands are known for their reliable beds designed for long-term healthcare use.
Grace Medy
Grace Medy offers a variety of hospital beds with different control options, including electric, manual, and fully electric models. Key features include: – Back and leg relaxation for patient comfort – Height adjustment for better positioning – Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg positions for advanced care – Integrated scales to measure weight during use
In addition to hospital beds, Grace Medy also makes medical furniture and rehabilitation equipment like surgical tables, medical trolleys, and Wheelchairs.
Stryker
Stryker is known for its innovative designs, which enhance both patient care and caregiver ease. Features of Stryker beds include: – Adaptive bed alarms for patient safety – Caregiver position controls for easier adjustments – Advanced pressure management systems to protect the skin
Invacare
Invacare focuses on making long-term care equipment that is easy to use and accessible. Their beds cater to both patient and caregiver needs, with features like: – Adjustable heights (7 to 30 inches) for better access and comfort – User-friendly controls for simple adjustments
Joerns Healthcare
Joerns Healthcare combines patient comfort with functionality. Their beds include features like: – Integrated bed exit alarms to prevent falls – Advanced positioning options for personalized care
Drive DeVilbiss
Drive DeVilbiss is known for making durable, high-quality beds for daily hospital use. Features include: – Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg positioning – Expandable width options for a customizable fit
Popular Bed Models
Some popular models from these leading brands include: – Grace Medy adjustable hospital bed – Hill-Rom Centrella Smart+ Bed – Stryker S3 Med/Surg Bed – Invacare CS7 Hospital Bed – Joerns EasyCare Hospital Bed – Drive Medical Prime Plus Hospital Bed
When selecting a long-term care bed, be sure to consider the patient’s needs, caregiver preferences, available space, and budget.
Summary
Choosing the right long-term care hospital bed is crucial. It sets the stage for comfort, safety, and function. From my experience, comfort is essential—not just for the patient but also for the caregiver. I always consider how adjustable the bed is. Being able to change positions makes a big difference.