How to Choose the Right Hospital Beds (Step by Step Guide)

Selecting hospital beds is a critical concern when expanding your facilities or replacing aging equipment. For many, the number of hospital bed options makes choosing one even more difficult. No matter what setting you are shopping for, Meditek can help. We carry one of the largest selections of high-quality hospital beds in Canada. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision.

Types of Hospital Beds

Generally speaking, hospital beds fall into one of two categories: manual and electric. Manual hospital beds are less expensive but tend to have fewer positioning options. They are also, obviously, more of a burden for your staff to use. Powered hospital beds, on the other hand, allow your team to quickly and effectively bring a patient into position. Different electric hospital beds have different controls, including hand and foot-operated systems — consider the application to determine which is the best choice for your team. In addition to standard hospital beds, special equipment is available for bariatric, pediatric and other uses. Here, again, the nature of your facility and the types of patient you typically serve will play a key role in helping you make a smart choice.

Features to Look for When Choosing Hospital Beds

Firstly, it’s important to review the needs of your department, and the intended use, whether it be Bariatric, Critical Care, Home Care, Long Term Care/Rehab, Maternal, Med-Surg

Your budget and your needs will determine whether an electric or manual hospital bed is the right choice for your facility. Beyond that, however, different models offer different feature sets that can greatly improve patient comfort, reduce the risk of complications and help your staff work more effectively. Some of these include:

• Positioning options: Hospital beds are available with a wide range of positioning options, including Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg, Fowler’s position and more.
• Powered transport: Select hospital beds by Hill-Rom®, Stryker and other manufacturers feature powered transport, which reduces the strain on support staff as they move patients from room to room.
• Side rails and access systems: Side rails keep patients from falling out, but they also impede lateral transfer. Many beds are equipped with detachable rails, positioning systems and other features that facilitate greater accessibility.
• Built-in scale: A built-in scale makes it easy to weigh patients with a minimal amount of disruption.
• Built-in storage: Storage compartments allow you to keep oxygen tanks, IV stands and other important equipment nearby.
• Storage compartments allow you to keep oxygen tanks, IV stands and other important equipment nearby.

Mattress Options

Aside from the bed itself, a mattress is also an important consideration when upgrading your equipment. An increasing number of affordable options, including sophisticated gel and memory foam models, has left facilities with a wide range of choices in this area.

Reducing the risk of pressure ulcers is a key consideration when making a purchase decision. Look for a product that is comfortable, supportive, easy to clean and features a gap-free design for maximum patient comfort. At Meditek, we carry a number of high-quality products, including the Symbioso Integrated air surface mattress. Browse our website for more information.

Long-Term Care and Support

A hospital bed is a major investment — you need to know you can count on your purchase to deliver years of reliable service. Whether you’re buying for home or clinical use, there are steps that can be taken to extend the life of your new bed:

• Ensure that staff are well trained and in-serviced on the features and functionality of the bed, to minimize the potential for damage due to operator error or misuse.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule for lubrication, calibration and maintenance. Perform regular inspections on moving components to confirm they are working smoothly.
• Don’t allow a minor problem to develop into a major one. Investigate the cause of squeaks, creaks and other warning signs, and take corrective action to stop the issue before it gets worse.
• Only use a bed for its intended purpose. Pay close attention to weight limits and other application guidelines when using your hospital bed.
• Store beds properly when not in use, keeping them away from potential hazards. Ensure all equipment is cleaned and decontaminated between patients.
• If you notice your equipment wearing out faster than normal, consider bringing in an outside consultant. There may be factors inherent to your workflow or other organizational issues that are causing premature wear.

The best way to ensure a hospital bed continues to provide comfort for your patients and convenience for your staff is to work with a supplier you trust. Meditek is an authorized distributor of hospital beds and also provides refurbished Hill-Rom® hospital beds, refurbished Stryker hospital beds and other equipment by leading medical manufacturers. We have been an ally to Canada’s healthcare sector for more than 30 years, offering coast-to-coast support for some of the most advanced facilities in the country. When you choose a new hospital bed from us, you are working with a company that offers warranty support for everything we sell, as well as comprehensive preventative maintenance services. We can help you develop a schedule that keeps all your valuable equipment working its best.

We also provide consulting for bigger picture issues related to choosing a hospital bed, including design and space planning, installation services and more. We can help you source the right combination of hospital beds, lighting and other equipment and provide start-to-finish support from the initial planning onward.

For help choosing a hospital bed or any other type of medical equipment, contact a local Meditek representative in your area.

Do Your Existing Beds Qualify for Remanufacturing?

Not all aging hospital beds will need to be replaced. Often, remanufacturing can be a more cost-effective option that not only restores your old equipment to as-new condition but also adds valuable engineering upgrades that allow you to modernize the quality of care you offer your patients. For any budget-challenged Canadian health care facilities, that’s an important advantage that can keep your budget in check.

Meditek is a leading provider of hospital bed refurbishing for some of Canada’s leading facilities. We offer comprehensive service that identifies issues and corrects common problems such as intermittent electrical issues, mechanical problems, broken controls and indicators, unstable surfaces and more. Often, this can be done for a fraction of the cost of a new replacement.

Meditek is registered with Health Canada and stands behind our remanufacturing process with a comprehensive two-year warranty. To learn more about the process and find out if remanufacturing is the best choice for your facility, call our head office or speak with your local Meditek representative today.