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2 Hospital Bed Buying Guide
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THE BASICS |
HOSPITAL FRAMES |
HOSPITAL MATTRESSES |
Basics
The Bed Frame
The bed frame makes a huge difference in the support and stability of your loved ones bed. Bed frames differ from bed decks (spring, grid, slat and full) which provide support for the mattress, features (Manual, Semi, Full Electric, Hi-Low, Trendelenburg, Bariatric...) and overall durability (weight capacity, warranty etc...) Manual and Semi Electric Beds are less costly than Full Electric Beds and are designed for loved ones that will be needing the bed for a shorter period of time. Manual and Semi Electric Beds have spring decks and a less durable frame, so if you are looking for a bed that will be used more than 16 hours a day and/or a bed that will be used for longer than 6 months, a Full Electric Bed with a grid, slat or full deck would be more appropriate. High End Beds offer more features for your loved one and provides a much more stable and supportive bed.
When deciding which bed makes sense for your loved one, consider not only the length of time the bed will be needed, but which mattress and features are needed as well. High End Beds will come with higher prevention mattresses which will provide better support and overall skin care.
Mattresses
While the bed’s functions and structure are important considerations, the mattress also plays a critical role in providing comfort and support. Mattress selection is especially critical in patients who are confined to their beds for longer than normal sleeping times, since these patients can be prone to pressure sores, or “bed” sores. Prevention Foam Mattresses, Low Air Loss Mattresses, Lateral Rotation Mattresses and other products can help relieve pressure and prevent skin breakdown that eventually causes sores to develop.
Frequently Asked Question
When you are deciding which hospital bed would be best for your loved one, there are specific questions you need to think about to make sure you can make a proper comparison among products:
- How many hours a day will your loved one be in bed?
- How long will the bed be needed for?
- Is your loved one at risk of falling out of bed?
- What frame would provide the best support and stability for your loved one?
- Looking to the future are there any additional needs that your loved one will have?
- Will you need to have the bed set up?
Important considerations include how long your loved one will be using the bed and mattress, how mobile they are, whether they're at an increased risk of falling, how much care they'll need while in the bed, and who will be providing that care. Remember: Both the bed and the mattress play important roles in maintaining comfort for your loved one, so be sure to consider all aspects of care when making a selection.
TYPES OF BEDS
Semi-Electric Beds
Semi-electric beds use an electric motor to perform head and foot adjustments, but height adjustment is still performed manually using a hand crank located at the foot of the bed. Head and foot adjustments are made using a remote control, enabling repositioning with the touch of a button. For patients who need to have the bed height adjusted, a fully electric bed might be a better option.
Benefit:
- Economical
- Remote-control head and foot adjustment
Disadvantage:
- Height adjustment uses a hand crank mechanism
- Spring Bed Deck (Lacks proper support for user)
- Strength is required to adjust bed height
Full-Electric Beds
Full-electric beds use the same type of remote control as a semi-electric bed, but the remote controls the height of the entire bed as well as foot and head adjustments. Full-electric beds safely adjust the height for patients who need the bed to be lowered so they can safely get in and out of bed, and for caregivers who prefer the bed to be higher for care activities or to change linens.
Benefit:
- Adjustment of all features is fully electric, requiring no physical strength
- Good choice for patients who exit the bed and need multiple heights for easy and safe entry and exit of the bed
Disadvantage:
- Higher cost than manual or semi-electric beds
Hi-Low Beds
A hi-low bed can be an excellent choice for a patient at an increased risk for rolling out of bed. Offering the same features as a full-electric bed, hi-low beds feature a bed deck that’s close to the floor. Even with the addition of a 6-inch mattress, fall height would be less than 15" from the floor. Adding a fall mat reduces the risk of injury as well as the fall height. Hi-low beds also rise to a height above 30" for safe care giving for both the caregiver and resident of the bed.
Benefit:
- Low profile increases patient safety and minimizes fall risks
- High profile is easier on the Caregiver's back
Disadvantage:
- Slightly higher cost than full-electric beds
Heavy Duty (Bariatric) Beds
Bariatric hospital beds feature strong, durable frames designed to support patients from 350 lbs. to 1000 lbs. Frames are also wider than standard beds to provide greater patient comfort while offering the same functions as a full-electric bed for convenience and ease of use. Bariatric beds will come in wider widths to provide more room for the user.
Benefit:
- Durable, wider frame designed specifically for heavier patients
Disadvantage:
- Higher cost than a standard electric bed
Short Term Hospital Beds
Short Term Hospital Beds are meant to be used for a limited time. These beds are great solutions for temporary situations. Short Term Beds will feature spring bed decks and over time will start to stretch due to continuous weight.
Benefit:
- Great for short term needs. Depending on weight of person you should be able to get 2 to 5 years out of a short term care bed.
- Affordable home care solution
Disadvantage:
- Spring bed deck will stretch over time and the bed will start to have a sagging mattress feel.
Long Term Hospital Beds
Long Term Hospital Beds are designed to fully support and care for your loved one or patient for years. These beds are great solutions for those who need proper support and preventative care. Long Term Beds have either grid, slat or solid bed decks that will fully support the mattress and person in bed.
Benefit:
- Great for long term needs. Grid, Slat and Solid decks will provide optimal support and comfort for the user.
- Bed deck provides 100% support of the user. Deck will maintain it's integrity for as long as you have the bed.
- Solid and durable construction that will last for years.
Disadvantage:
- Little higher price due to upgraded motors and more substantial frame and bed deck.
TYPES OF MATTRESSES
Foam Prevention Mattresses
Foam Prevention Mattresses are ideal for patients who spend long periods of time lying in bed including patients who are immobile. Unlike basic foam or innerspring mattresses that can increase pressure and heat on specific areas of the body, causing skin breakdown and bed sore development, prevention mattresses are designed to prevent sores from developing while still providing plenty of comfort.
Benefit:
- Helps prevent development of painful pressure and heat bed sores
- Provides an economical prevention strategy
Disadvantage:
- Not a good choice for patients who already have bed sores
Alternating Pressure Mattresses
For patients who have ulcers or have a history of ulcer development, an alternating pressure mattress offers both pressure relief and skin moisture management by altering the inflation and deflation of individual air cells. These mattresses offer relief of pressure points and promote blood flow and circulation for healthier skin and better healing.
Benefit:
- Ideal for ulcer therapy
- Altering cell inflation manages pressure points
- Improves circulation for better healing
Disadvantage:
- Less expensive models offer fewer air bladders/less therapeutic support
Low Air-Loss Mattresses
A low air-loss mattress is an ideal choice for patients who need ulcer therapy, providing the therapeutic benefits of both pressure relief and skin moisture management. On a low air-loss mattress, the patient “floats” on air-filled cells while a lower circulates air across the skin’s surface to reduce heat and moisture and maintain a consistent interface with the skin. Blowers are designed to promote balanced levels of skin moisture without drying out therapeutic dressings.
Benefit:
- Provides ideal pressure and moisture balance for better healing of skin ulcers and healthy skin overall
Disadvantage:
- Blower noise may be bothersome to some patients
Lateral Rotation Mattresses
Like the low air-loss mattress, lateral rotation mattresses are ideal for patients who need ulcer therapy. These mattresses gently rotate the patient from side to side to relieve pressure points, and offer the added benefits of promoting digestion and circulation and reducing the risk of pulmonary complications. A blower provides constant air flow to help balance skin moisture for better healing.
Benefit:
- Best choice for those who are unable to turn
- Provides ideal pressure and moisture balance for better healing of skin ulcers and healthy skin overall
- Offers benefits for digestion, circulation and lung health
Disadvantage:
- Blower noise may be bothersome to some patients
Heavy-Duty (Bariatric) Mattresses
Bariatric mattresses are available in both foam and air-circulating styles designed with the extra support necessary to provide consistent comfort for patients from 350 lbs. to 1000 lbs.
Benefit:
- Best choice or bariatric patients
Disadvantage:
- Foam options may feel too firm for some patients
The Next Step
Selecting a hospital bed and mattress for your loved one requires careful consideration of several factors to make sure you make the best choice. At Express Hospital Beds, our customer service representatives and sales staff have in-depth knowledge of our complete line of beds and can help you make the right choice. Call us today toll-free at 1-800-535-1322 or send us an email and let us help you make the best choice for your loved one’s comfort and care.
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