What Size Is A Hospital Bed

Standard Dimensions of hospital beds

What size is a hospital bed?Hospital beds follow standard dimensions to fit most patients and support healthcare routines. These measurements are widely used, with options available for specific needs.

Typical Dimensions

• Standard Width and Length: A standard hospital bed is 36 inches wide and 80 inches long, similar to a twin XL mattress. This size is common in healthcare settings.
• Mattress Thickness: Hospital mattresses are usually 6 inches thick, providing needed support and comfort.

Width and Length Options

• Adjustable Widths: Wider beds are available for patients who need extra space, including widths of 39 inches, 42 inches, 48 inches, and up to 54 inches.
• Extended Length: Beds can extend up to 88 inches (224 cm) for taller patients. Some models also offer an extension platform, adding 7.9 inches (20 cm) in length.

Height Specifications

• Standard Height: The bed surface typically sits 20 inches (50.8 cm) from the floor, making it accessible for both patients and caregivers. Adding the mattress increases this height by 6-7 inches.

International Standards

• Global Inside Dimensions: Common mattress platform sizes internationally are 880-900 mm wide by 2000 mm long.
• External Bed Dimensions: The frame of hospital beds generally measures 1020 mm in width and 2240 mm in length to ensure compatibility with medical equipment and patient comfort.

Sizes for Specific Needs

Specific patient needs, like pediatric care or bariatric support, require hospital beds in specialized sizes to ensure comfort and safety.

Pediatric Hospital Beds

What size is a hospital bed for pediatric?Pediatric hospital beds are designed to fit younger patients comfortably. These beds are usually smaller than standard hospital beds, offering proper support for children. A common example is the Twin-size hospital bed, which is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. This size is ideal for smaller patients, especially in rooms with limited space.

Bariatric Hospital Beds

What size is a hospital bed for bariatric?Bariatric patients need larger hospital beds that offer safe, comfortable support for larger body sizes. These beds are built with additional width and length for extra room and security.

• Width: Bariatric beds can be as wide as 76 inches, providing ample space.
• Length: These beds can reach up to 94 inches in length, which benefits taller patients.
• Weight Capacity: Built to handle higher weight capacities, bariatric beds are durable and safe for heavier patients.
• Examples: The Dual King size bed, a good choice for bariatric care, features two separate twin-sized areas. Each area has independent height and position adjustments, offering patients more room and personalized support.

Mattress Sizes

Standard Hospital Bed Mattress

• A standard hospital bed mattress is usually 36 inches wide by 80 inches long, similar to a twin XL mattress. This size fits standard hospital bed frames and meets most patients’ needs.

Adjustable and Extended Mattresses

• Adjustable hospital bed mattresses are available up to 36 inches wide by 84 inches long to offer more length for taller patients.
• Some beds, like the Med-Mizer CC803 Retractabed, expand up to 42 inches wide by 80 inches long, providing extra width when needed.

Bariatric Mattresses

• Bariatric mattresses are made for higher weight capacities and come in wider sizes:
  • 42 inches wide by 80 inches long
  • 48 inches wide by 80 inches long
  • 54 inches wide by 80 inches long
  • 60 inches wide by 80 to 96 inches long
• These mattresses often use high-density foam to spread weight evenly, reducing pressure injuries for bariatric patients.

Custom and Specialized Mattresses

• Custom sizes are available for patients with specific needs. Options like the MedMattress Bari Care and Bari Ultra Care include features like multi-layer foam and cool-gel memory foam for added comfort.
• Custom mattresses fit specific bed frames, enhancing support and safety.

Mattress Thickness

• Hospital bed mattresses are generally 6 inches thick, but some models range from 4 to 7 inches to meet different needs.

Special Considerations

• Matching mattress size to the bed frame is essential for patient safety. Large gaps between the mattress and side rails or assist bars can be risky.
• Hospital mattresses contour to the bed and use pressure-redistribution to support medical equipment and patient care.

Types of Hospital Beds

Standard Hospital Beds

Standard hospital beds are usually 80 inches (203 cm) long and 36 inches (91 cm) wide. Their height adjusts between 15 and 30 inches (38 to 76 cm) from the floor. They typically support weights from 250 to 300 pounds (113-136 kg), depending on the model and manufacturer.

Bariatric Hospital Beds

Bariatric hospital beds are built for larger patients, offering more width and length than standard beds. They measure around 42-48 inches (107-122 cm) wide and 84 inches (213 cm) or longer. These beds also have a higher weight capacity, generally between 350 to 750 pounds (159-340 kg), ensuring a safe and comfortable option for heavier patients.

Pediatric Hospital Beds

Pediatric beds are smaller and designed for infants and children. They are narrower and shorter than standard beds to better suit young patients. Full-length side rails are often included for added safety during treatment and rest.

Ultra-Low Hospital Beds

What size is a hospital bed of ultra-low?Ultra-low beds reduce the risk of falls by staying closer to the floor. They have a height range of 7 to 25 inches (18 to 63 cm), making them safer and more accessible, especially for patients with limited mobility or high fall risk.

ICU Beds

What size is a hospital bed for ICU room?ICU beds are made for critically ill patients. They vary in size to accommodate extra medical equipment and offer advanced adjustments. Many ICU beds integrate monitoring systems to meet intensive care needs.

Birthing Beds

Birthing beds support labor and delivery with specific adjustments for both mother and baby. Though similar in size to standard beds, they have unique features tailored for obstetric care.

Fully Electric Hospital Beds

What size is a hospital bed of fully electric?Fully electric beds allow users to adjust head, foot, and height positions electronically, using a handset or control panel. They also offer special positioning options, like Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg, to enhance comfort and flexibility in care.

Semi-Electric Hospital Beds

Semi-electric beds let users adjust the head and foot sections electronically but require manual cranking for height adjustments. This option balances convenience and affordability.

Considerations for Home Use

When choosing a hospital bed for home use, you must consider several factors to ensure the bed fits both the patient’s needs and the available space.

Space Requirements

A standard hospital bed needs about 3 feet on each side to allow for adjustments, side rails, and easy caregiver access. It’s important to ensure the room has enough space for safe movement and convenience.

Bed Size and Patient Comfort

Choose the bed size based on the patient’s size and weight. For example, a patient with a BMI of 45 or less will generally be comfortable in a standard 36″ wide bed. However, patients with a higher BMI may need wider beds, such as 39″, 42″, 48″, or even 54″ wide options, for better comfort and support.

Length Extensions for Taller Patients

For taller patients, some hospital beds offer length extensions that can extend the bed’s length to 88″ or more. This is crucial for ensuring comfort, especially for patients over 6 feet tall.

Additional Accessories

To improve the functionality and comfort of the hospital bed, accessories such as over-bed tables and other aids can be helpful. These additions make it easier for patients to eat, read, or work while in bed, making the home care experience more comfortable.