Understanding the Different Types of Hospital Beds and Their Uses
Hospital beds are an integral part of patient care, offering safety, comfort, and controls for medical treatment needs in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and homes. Specialized Features—Unlike standard beds, hospital beds come with features that help patients recover and cope with chronic health conditions in dignity, all while making it easier (and safer) for caregivers.
Knowing the types of hospital beds and their intended purposes can assist families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in selecting which one is best suited for a patient based on medical necessity, mobility, and time of care.
Manual Hospital Beds
Manual Hospital Beds—The foot, head, and (sometimes) height adjustments are made with a hand crank. Power-free, these beds can be considered a viable option in low-resource settings.
Best suited for:
- Short-term care
- Patients who have a low recurrence of needing repositioning are best suited for this option.
- Budget-conscious home care situations
Manual beds are cost-efficient and sturdy; however, they rely on caregivers to manually change position.
Semi-Electric Hospital Beds
Semi-electric hospital beds are a mix of manual and electric aspects. Normally, the head and foot of the bed are operated by an electronic remote control, with the height as a manual (crank) adjustment.
Best suited for:
- Home care patients who require frequent repositioning
- Caregivers seeking higher ease of use with less than full electric expenditure
- Post-surgery or rehabilitation recovery
These beds give you the best of convenience and economy.
Fully Electric Hospital Beds
A fully electric medical bed enables adjustment of the head, foot end, and height of the bed via an electronic remote control. They provide ultimate simplicity for both patient and caregiver.
Best suited for:
- Long-term care
- Seniors aging at home
- The old and infirm
Full electric bed for independence; easier on the caregiver; positioning is easier for optimum comfort and safety.
Bariatric Hospital Beds
Bariatric medical beds come with both higher weight limits and a wider sleeping surface. These drones are equipped with sturdy frames, strong motors, and improved stability.
Best suited for:
- Patients requiring higher weight support
- Long-term or specialized medical care
- Better seating and safety for larger occupants
These cots provide excellent support without sacrificing durability or utility.
Low Hospital Beds
Low hospital beds are used to rest closer to the floor, minimizing injury from falls. They are particularly helpful for patients who have a tendency to get out of bed on their own.
Best suited for:
- Seniors with fall risk
- Patients with cognitive challenges
- Facilities for the long-term care and assisted living types
There is no harm in using low beds with side rails or floor mats to maximize safety.
Specialty Hospital Beds
Specialty beds Specialty beds are meant for more targeted medical issues and advanced care. These can range from alternating pressure beds to rotational therapy or therapeutic mattresses.
Best suited for:
- Patients with a high risk of pressure ulcer formation
- Complex medical conditions
- Extended hospital or home care
Hospitals typically use these types of beds, but home care is also increasingly adopting them.
Final Thoughts
The choice of hospital bed you select should be based on the patient’s health condition, level of mobility, and duration of care. Whether they’re basic manual, electric, or special-function hospital beds, each type of bed plays an important role in enhancing the comfort and ease of the recovery process.
These differences, when understood by families and caregivers, help them to better choose a bed that promotes the patient’s well-being and increases caregiver productivity. If you don’t know what hospital bed is best for your condition, listen to a professional medical equipment specialist assist you in finding the perfect choice that will give you quality care at home or in any healthcare setting.
