How To Lower A Hospital Bed Closer To Floor?
If you need to know how to lower a hospital bed closer to floor, here’s how to do it—whether it’s electric or manual, I can help.
Electric Hospital Bed
Start by grabbing the control pendant – the small remote that lets you adjust everything for your comfort. The buttons are easy to use: just press the down arrow, and the bed will lower as you release the pressure. It feels like sinking into a cloud, helping you find the right height for a comfortable rest.
What if the power goes out? No problem. Simply grab the manual hand crank at the foot of the bed. Insert it and twist counterclockwise. You’ll feel the bed lower steadily, just like the smooth motion of a well-maintained machine, giving you full control.
Manual Hospital Bed
First, I check the locking mechanism to ensure all the caster locks are engaged. This keeps the bed still while I make adjustments. I want to avoid any surprises during setup!
Next, I find the crank handle, which is usually at the foot or side of the bed. This handle is essential for making smooth adjustments.
To lower the bed, I turn the crank counterclockwise. I can feel the bed gently lower toward the floor, bringing comfort as it settles into place.
Safety Tips
Before adjusting the height, check that medical devices attached to the patient won’t be affected. You don’t want anything to get caught or pulled unexpectedly.
When lowering the bed, make sure the side rails are secure. Remove any obstacles in the way to avoid problems. It’s like clearing a safe path—everything should be in place.
After making the adjustments, quickly check that the bed is stable and secure. Always be careful, especially when leaving the patient alone. Trust your judgment, and ensure everything is good before stepping away.
Importance of Lowering a Hospital Bed
Lowering a hospital bed closer to the floor is important for patient safety and making care easier. Here are the main reasons why adjusting the bed height is so crucial in a hospital:
Reducing Fall Injuries
- Lowering the bed to about 10 cm (4 inches) reduces the impact of a fall. Raising the bed from 10 cm to 20 cm doubles the impact force, which increases injury risks. Keeping the bed low is key for preventing injuries.
Fall Incidence
- Around 60-70% of hospital falls happen from the bed or bedside chair. Keeping the bed low is a simple and effective way to lower the chance of falls and keep patients safe.
Easy Patient Mobility
- A lower bed height makes it easier for patients to get in and out of bed. This is important for people with limited mobility, as they can place their feet flat on the floor when sitting on the edge of the bed.
Customizable Height
- Many modern hospital beds are adjustable, allowing the height to be set based on a patient’s needs. Some beds can go as low as 10 inches from the deck to the floor, which is helpful for smaller patients.
Caregiver Assistance
- Lowering the bed makes it easier for caregivers to assist patients without putting extra strain on themselves. It improves safety and efficiency, which is essential in busy care environments.
Risk Reduction
- Keeping the bed low reduces the risk of entrapment and other dangers tied to higher beds. It provides added protection for patients at risk of wandering or falling out of bed.
Fall-Related Injuries
- In the U.S., hospitals see between 700,000 and 1,000,000 falls each year, many of which lead to serious injuries. Lowering the bed height helps reduce the risk of these accidents.
Study Findings
- A large study with over 356,000 inpatients found that low-low beds led to a significant decrease in fall-related injuries. This shows just how important bed height is in preventing falls.
High-Low Elevation
- Beds with high-low elevation features can be adjusted electronically to as low as 16 inches from the mattress to the floor. This flexibility is helpful in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care settings.
Optimal Bed Height Range
To find the best height for a hospital bed, consider several factors.
- The bed should allow the patient to stand up easily without strain. The patient should be able to place their feet flat on the floor when getting out of bed.
- For wheelchair users, the bed height should be at or slightly lower than the wheelchair seat height, which is about 19.5 inches.
- Hospital beds usually have an adjustable height range of around 17 inches, with the mattress height ranging from 15 inches to 39 inches from the floor.
- The most common bed height is between 21 inches and 29 inches from the floor to the top of the mattress. This height is safe and comfortable for most patients.
Caregiver Working Height
- To reduce strain on caregivers, the bed height should be set to a level where they can work comfortably between waist and elbow height. This is typically around hip level or a little higher.
- A safe working height for caregivers is between 18 inches and 23 inches, which is similar to the height of a regular chair seat.
Compatibility with Patient Lifts
- When using hydraulic lifts, the bed height must match the lift’s range. For instance, a bed height of 24 inches might not work with a lift that requires a minimum height of 28 inches.
Additional Safety Measures
To improve patient safety when lowering a hospital bed closer to the floor, consider these key steps:
Adjustable Height Settings
Hospital beds with electric height adjustment let you raise or lower the bed to the best position. Lowering the bed to its lowest setting helps reduce injury in case of a fall.
Lock the Wheels
Always lock the bed wheels when the bed is in its lowest position. This prevents the bed from moving unexpectedly and lowers the risk of falls.
Use Floor Safety Mats
Place safety mats next to the bed. These mats help cushion falls, but make sure they don’t create other hazards.
Regular Monitoring
Keep an eye on patients regularly to catch potential falls early. Address basic needs like hunger, thirst, or bathroom use to prevent unnecessary movements.
Use Transfer or Mobility Aids
Help patients move in and out of bed with mobility aids. This reduces the risk of falls and ensures smoother, safer transitions.
Lower Bed Rail Sections
If the bed has rails, consider lowering one or more sections. This can prevent entrapment and decrease the chance of patients falling out of bed.
Ensure Proper Mattress Fit
Make sure the mattress fits the bed frame properly. A mattress with raised foam edges can stop patients from getting stuck between the mattress and the bedrail.
Secure Latches
Check that all latches on the bedrails are fastened properly before leaving the patient. This ensures the rails work safely.
Integrated Bed Exit Alarms
Beds with built-in exit alarms alert staff when a patient tries to leave the bed unsafely. This feature helps prevent falls and ensures quick intervention.
Ergonomic Design Features
Consider using hospital beds with ergonomic features like lumbar support, adjustable head and foot sections, easy-to-use control panels, and slide guards. These features improve patient comfort and safety.
Considerations for Room and Caregiver Needs
When selecting a low hospital bed, there are a few important factors to keep in mind for both room function and caregiver ease.
Room Space and Layout
- Make sure the bed fits well in the room, leaving enough space for movement.
- Measure the room, doorways, and hallways to ensure the bed can be adjusted as needed.
- A bed that’s the right size prevents blockages and helps both the patient and caregivers move easily.
Adjustability and Accessibility
- Pick beds with height features for easier transfers.
- Adjustable height helps reduce the risk of falls and makes transferring to mobility aids like wheelchairs or lifts easier.
- This flexibility adds comfort and safety for both the patient and caregivers.
Caregiver Access and Movement
- Place the bed in a way that gives caregivers easy access to help the patient.
- Ensure there’s enough room for caregivers to move freely without feeling crowded, making caregiving easier.
Weight Capacity and Durability
- Choose beds made of strong materials, like durable steel, for lasting use.
- Make sure the bed’s weight limit is higher than the patient’s weight to ensure safety and durability, preventing wear over time.
Safety Features
- Look for beds with important safety features, like side rails, emergency brakes, and easy-to-use controls.
- These features are essential to prevent falls and injuries, especially for patients with limited mobility.
Ease of Use
- Choose beds with simple controls for adjusting the bed and height.
- Intuitive features allow both patients and caregivers to use the bed easily, ensuring smooth daily use.
Maintenance and Cleaning
- Look for beds with accessible parts and removable components for easy cleaning.
- Beds with easy-to-clean surfaces help keep the environment sanitary and reduce infection risks.
I’ve used Grace Medy’s hospital beds, and they really focus on comfort and safety. The electric and manual beds with height adjustment make it easy to find the right position without any trouble. The ultra-low beds are a great addition. They’re especially helpful for those with mobility issues or elderly patients who need extra protection from falls. It’s reassuring to know that every adjustment provides peace of mind.
In addition to hospital beds, Grace Medy as a hospital furniture manufacturer also provides supporting hospital furniture, such as surgical lights, operating tables, emergency carts, hospital chairs, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
Summary
Lowering a hospital bed closer to the floor is a simple and effective way to improve patient safety and comfort. Making these adjustments helps prevent falls and enhances mobility and caregiving. With the right tools and precautions, we can create a safer environment for those in need. Small changes can have a big impact on healthcare.