Rise of Powered and Manual Hospital Beds
In the last decade, there has been a significant rise in the demand and adoption of powered hospital beds across healthcare facilities globally. Powered beds come equipped with electronic motors that allow caregivers and patients to easily adjust the bed's position, height and other functionalities with the press of a button. Some of the common adjustments powered beds allow include raising and lowering the head and foot sections independently, adjustable height settings for the entire bed, programmable presets for positioning etc. This rise has been majorly fueled by the need for improved patient comfort and caregiver ergonomics.
Advantages of Powered Beds
Powered beds offer some distinct advantages over traditional manual beds. For patients, it provides easy adjustability which enhances comfort. Elderly or disabled patients find it easier to adjust their position independently without assistance. It can also help prevent bed sores and edema. For caregivers, powered beds reduce physical strain as they don't require manual lifting and handling of heavy bed frames and mattresses. Multiple caregivers can attend to patients simultaneously without interfering with each other. Some advanced models come equipped with built-in scales and sensors for enhanced monitorng. The programmable presets also help standardize care protocols.
Use of Manual Beds Continues
Despite the increasing popularity of powered beds, manual beds still continue to see healthy demand. For basic inpatient housing or makeshift facilities with resource constraints, manual beds are a more affordable option. They are lower maintenance with less electrical or mechanical parts to malfunction. Manual beds also offer more flexibility as they can be easily reconfigured or replaced if needed. The sheer number of existing manual beds in healthcare inventory means they will continue to be used, especially in developing markets where the shift to powered beds will be more gradual. Field hospitals and makeshift shelters also heavily rely on manual beds during emergencies and disaster response situations.
Total Cost of Ownership
While initial purchase price of a manual bed is significantly lower, total cost of ownership over the lifespan needs consideration as well. Powered beds have higher durability and longer usable life if regularly serviced which offsets the higher initial price. Lifting-related injuries in caregivers are a major cost which powered beds help mitigate. They also free up caregiver time spent on manual handling which can be utilized more efficiently. Energy consumption is moderate and recurring maintenance contracts keep powered beds operational. Overall, powered beds have a lower total cost in high acuity settings while manual beds remain more suitable for low resource environments.
Conclusion
The hospital bed market continues to evolve with both powered and manual hospital beds co-existing to suit the diverse needs across regions and settings. Powered beds are gaining ground in developed markets and specialized facilities catering to older, disabled population due to enhanced ergonomics and patient handling. However, manual beds will retain an important role especially in emerging economies, makeshift facilities and disaster response due to their affordability and flexibility. An optimal mix of both will ensure affordable, accessible and quality care.
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