When it comes to buying a hospital bed for home use, there are many factors to think about. These five tips will help you to assess the different hospital beds available so you can make the choice that is right for the patient.
Invest in the Mattress
When you’re buying a hospital bed, it pays off to invest the majority of your money into the mattress, not the frame. While having a frame that allows for position adjustments and easy patient repositioning is convenient, the mattress itself can make a sizable contribution to the patient’s overall comfort and health. If a patient is spending the majority of their time in bed, then it may be worth investing in a higher end mattress designed to help protect their skin from pressure sores.
Consider the Space You Have Available
Before buying a hospital bed, think about the particular room that it will be in. Can you maneuver a hospital bed into the room, navigating doorways, steps, and other obstacles? How much room do you have in the space, and how sizeable a bed can it reasonably accommodate? (Don’t forget to account for space that other medical equipment may require.) Do some measuring ahead of time to make sure that you choose a bed that can fit.
Pay Attention to the High/Low Settings
Each hospital bed will have a maximum height and a minimum height that it can be adjusted to. Think about your needs when it comes to patient care. If a patient is a fall risk, do you need a very low positioning for safety, or for transfers to and from a wheelchair?
Consider how you transfer the patient. If you’re transferring from a wheelchair, then you’ll need the bed to be at a different height than would be necessary when transferring from a Hoyer lift.
Decide Which Positions Are Important
When it comes to buying a hospital bed, you can find beds that offer just a few positions, or more expensive beds that offer many more positions with more versatility. Think about which positions are most important to the patient, such as the Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, or chair position. Look for a bed that offers these specific positions.
Look for an Appropriately Sized Bed
Patients come in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s important that a hospital bed properly fits a patient in order for them to be comfortable. Taller patients might need a bed with an extension, while other patients might need a wider bed in order to be truly comfortable.
As you shop for a hospital bed for home use, be sure to consider the above factors. It’s also important to consult with an advisor who is well-versed and knowledgeable in the specific beds that you’re considering. An advisor, like our staff here at MedMart, can help guide you as you choose the perfect bed.