Hospital bed sizes begin at a width of 35 inches and go up to inches. The most typical width is 35 inches. The length range for most hospital beds is from 75 to 88 inches. The most typical hospital bed length is 80 inches. Wider and longer hospital beds provide a greater degree of comfort for the patient and are more accommodating to different-sized patients. Some hospital beds are adaptable with extension kits to make them larger. Drive Medical makes a Hospital Bed Extension Kit for its Full Electric Hospital Bed (15005) and Ultra Light Semi Electric Bed (15030). The Graham-Field Hospital Bed Extension Kit adds more length to the Patriot Full Electric Hospital Bed. A new innovation in the hospital bed market is beds that can expand their width and length to accommodate individual patients without adding parts. The Invacare CS9 Adjustable Width Bed is an example of this new innovation.
These height adjustments allow for better patient recovery as well as comfort. A hospital bed frame in a low position is easier to get in or out of bed. In its highest position, it is easier for caregivers to serve the patient. Elevation of the head and/or foot aids in therapy and with comfort for the patient depending upon whether they are awake or sleeping. There are six major types of hospital beds currently in production--full-electric, semi-electric, manual, low bed, Bariatric, and Trendelenburg.
A full-electric bed allows electrical adjustment of the bed frame's height, the header's height, and the footer's height. Most full electric hospital beds can be adjustable by a remote control device, allowing the patient to determine the best position. Many full electric beds can lock out the patient controls to protect the patient from accidental repositioning that could harm them. In these cases, many of these hospital beds have controls embedded in the footer panel, allowing the caregiver to adjust the bed position. The most popular full-electric bed is the Invacare 5410VC.
Bed Type Advantages Disadvantages
fully electric
easy adjustments
less physically demanding
Semi-electric hospital beds are very similar to full electric beds, except that the height of the semi-electrical bed frame is adjustable manually by a hand crank. The header and footer adjustments are accomplished electrically. Formerly, semi-electric beds were much less expensive than full-electric beds, but technological advances have brought the prices of these two types of hospital beds closer together. The Invacare 5310IVC is one of the best-selling semi-electric beds. Currently, the Medline Basic Homecare Bed is the lowest-priced Semi-electric. For patients that do not adjust the bed height often, semi-electric beds are a good choice.
Bed Type Advantages Disadvantages
easy head and foot adjustments
slightly higher costs
Manual beds do not use electrical power to make adjustments. Hand cranks positioned around the bed provide the mechanism to adjust the bed and mattress height. Manual beds offer the most economical hospital bed solution; however, many hospital bed manufacturers have stopped making these types of beds. In many instances, manual hospital beds can be purchased for less than $600. The Drive Medical Manual Hospital Bed is currently the lowest price manual bed.
Bed Type Advantages Disadvantages
lower cost
adjustable
Low hospital beds have frames that go adjust to a minimal height just inches from the floor. This low position allows for easier ingress and egress from the bed for patients that may be weak or at risk of fall injuries. Low hospital beds also provide more safety for patients who are at risk of falling out of bed. The Invacare Low Hospital Bed is the best-selling low bed and comes with a minimum 9.5-inch bed deck height.
Bed Type Advantages Disadvantages
increased patient safety
low profile
minimizes fall risks
fully electric
easy adjustments
less physically demanding
caregiver friendly
Bariatric hospital beds are heavy-duty beds that can support more weight than other hospital beds. Many of these beds can support 1000 pounds or more. These beds are often wider, providing more room for the patient. The bed deck has a more solid appearance but is still able to adjust the mattress head and foot for the patient. Examples of Bariatric hospital beds include the Graham Field Bariatric Bed.
Bed Type Advantages Disadvantages
fully electric
easy adjustments
heavy duty
most durable
increased width
less physically demanding
Trendelenburg Hospital Beds provide many versatile clinical positions. These beds allow for many therapeutic positioning options and eliminate the need for most pillows and bed wedges. Trendelenburg positioning can provide a recliner chair-type functionality required by many aging patients. These hospital beds offer the most adjustability and function of all the hospital bed options. Hospital beds with Trendelenburg positioning require additional room space to avoid contact with walls and furniture. An example of a Trendelenburg hospital bed is the Joerns UltraCare XT.
Bed Type Advantages Disadvantages
fully electric
most adjustments
most utility
less physically demanding
There are a number of hospital bed manufacturers many of which sell their beds exclusively to hospitals and long-term care facilities. There are also manufacturers that supply hospital beds for homecare use. The top hospital bed manufacturers of homecare-type beds are Invacare, Graham-Field, Drive Medical, and Joerns. Invacare is the most well-known manufacturer. Each of these manufacturers is well respected in the industry. These manufacturers supply replacement parts for their beds that can be specially ordered to keep your hospital bed in good working order. Some of these manufacturers use interchangeable parts between their beds, better ensuring that the part you need will be on-hand when you are ready to order.
There are many hospital bed options to meet your specific needs. Balancing the advantages with the disadvantages each type of hospital bed offers will help you identify the best hospital bed for your personal needs. If you have questions about the right options for you, give the staff at Vitality Medical a call at 800-397-5899.
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