Transforming Healthcare: The Rise of Powered Hospital Bed Technology

Types of Hospital Beds
There are two main types of beds used in hospitals - powered hospital beds and manual hospital beds. Each type has its own unique features that make it suitable for different patient needs and care settings.

Features of Powered Hospital Beds

Powered hospital beds, also known as electric beds, are equipped with electric motors that allow caregivers and patients to adjust various parts of the bed with the push of a button. Common adjustments include raising and lowering the head and feet sections, changing the position of the bed either to a chair-like sitting position or flat for sleeping, and adjusting the height of the mattress platform.

Powered beds have several positioning presets that can easily move patients into desired positions with one button push. For example, many models have presets for raising the patient into a sitting position or tilting them at an angle for eating. Some advanced powered beds also offer features like adjustable side rails, scale integration to weigh patients, and positioning reminders to prevent bed sores.

The electronic positioning capabilities of powered beds make them very suitable for patients who have limited mobility or require frequent adjustments throughout the day for treatments and care. They help reduce the physical strain on nurses and caregivers compared to manual cranking of sections. However, powered beds also tend to be more expensive than manual options.

Features of Manual Hospital Beds

Manual or mechanical hospital beds rely on hand cranks or levers to adjust different parts rather than electric motors. Common adjustment points on manual beds include raising and lowering the head and feet sections, changing the overall bed angle, and adjusting the height of the mattress platform/frame.

While manual beds lack the presets and one-button ease of powered options, they are still able to place patients in a variety of supported positions for comfort and care. Cranks or levers allow independent control over different bed sections. Manual beds are also simpler in design without complex electronics, making them low maintenance and easy to repair if needed.

The main advantage of manual hospital beds is their significantly lower purchase price compared to powered options. This makes them a more affordable choice for facilities with larger bed fleets or tighter budgets. They are suitable for patients who can assist in basic position changes or do not require frequent adjustments throughout the day. Manual cranking does take more physical effort from nurses as well.

Suitability of Powered vs Manual Beds

The appropriate type of hospital bed depends on the specific needs, capabilities, and care setting of each patient. As general guidelines:

- Powered beds are preferred for patients with limited mobility, frequent position changes required by treatment plans, or who cannot assist in any manual adjustments. They provide the most caregiver assistance and support patient independence.

- Manual beds fulfill the needs of mobile patients who can help reposition themselves or do not require complicated adjustment schedules. Their lower cost also makes them suitable for general medical/surgical units with basic positioning needs.

Infection Control Considerations

Regardless of bed type, proper cleaning and disinfection between patients is critical from an infection control perspective. Both powered and manual hospital bed surfaces can harbor harmful pathogens if not decontaminated thoroughly. Care teams must follow evidence-based protocols for disinfecting high-touch surfaces after patient discharge and before admitting new patients. This reduces the risk of transmitting infections between vulnerable hospital inpatients. Proper hand hygiene is also important when manually adjusting or transferring patients.