How Much Does an ICU Bed Cost?

Intensive care unit (ICU) beds are specifically designed for patients with extreme health conditions. While beds are generally hospital equipment, ICU beds differ from the beds in the wards. So what makes these beds unique?

This guide will explore the features that make ICU beds stand out, including their price ranges. Keep reading as you'll learn the factors to consider when buying ICU beds and where you can get them in bulk at wholesale prices.

What is an ICU bed?

An ICU bed, also called intensive care or critical care bed, is designed for patients with acute health conditions. We talk about people with unstable neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory activity. 

While you may find regular beds in every hospital, not all have ICU beds. This is because ICU beds are a product of technology. Thus their adjustments are improved with simpler operations. 

A typical ICU bed is electrically operated with a remote or control panel to facilitate repositioning. As a result, healthcare workers input little to no physical force. 

Also, among other functions, the ICU bed must include Trendelenberg and cardiac chair positioning to facilitate recovery from heart surgery and respiratory conditions. In addition, the ICU bed must be sized to house a pressure-relieving mattress.

Like regular beds, ICU beds are wheeled with brakes and are not positioned to rest on the walls. Also, they have flexible sides such that you can remove them.

Features of ICU Bed

Numerous features make the ICU bed unique. But, most importantly, these features are suited for medical interventions in critical cases. These four features are standard in all ICU beds.

CPR Release

Respiratory insufficiency is one of the conditions that land patients in the ICU. And to restore normalcy, healthcare workers initiate Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This process involves the patient lying flat on his back to achieve optimum chest compression. 

Respiratory issues can occur suddenly while a patient is in the ICU. With this in mind, the ICU bed is equipped with a CPR release which, upon pushing a button, the bed immediately assumes a challenging flat position to initiate CPR. 

Weighing System

In most cases, using the conventional weighing scale for ICU patients is impractical. However, the patient's weight must be measured as it is a helpful parameter for treatment. With this in mind, many ICU beds integrate weighing scales in their designs, so patients don't need to stand or sit to measure their weight. 

IV Pole & Hook

IV poles usually come with ICU beds as they hang fluids administered via the IV route, like lactated Ringer's, Dextrose, and normal saline. The IV pole also securely hangs the blood bag to facilitate blood transfusion. The most common IV poles usually have two to four hooks that hold the fluid bags.

With the IV pole, two or more fluids can be administered simultaneously. Also, since the ICU bed is equipped with the IV pole, the patient transfer becomes much easier as the nurse only has to move the bed. As a result, there is a low chance of transport injury or disruption of IV administration. 

Removable head and footboards

ICU beds are built such that you can remove their head and footboards. This is beneficial in critical scenarios as the removable headboard improves patient access, especially when there is a need to support the head to improve breathing.

In addition, this feature facilitates prone positioning, making the patient lie face down. Doing this intermittently promotes external respiration. 

Nurse controls

ICU beds have numerous control options. While some have in-built patient controls on the side rails, others are equipped with a nurse control which is in-built on the footboard's base and also available as a handset. The majority of ICU beds include both control options.

The in-built nurse control feature secures all lock functions to cater to patients who are not strong enough to handle the patient controls, thus preventing hazards. Also, being a wireless system, the nurse control poses no risk to patients and medical staff during emergencies.

ICU Bed vs. Normal Bed

The features mentioned above have a single aim; to facilitate emergency medical intervention. Thus, it is worth noting that regular hospital beds cannot replace ICU beds. Here are the standard features that differentiate ICU beds from traditional mattresses.

Dimension and Weight Capacity

A regular bed in the hospital ward has a standard dimension of 80 inches by 36 inches. While this bed is meant to cover a wide weight range, this site cannot accommodate heavy weights. On the other hand, a typical ICU bed is a bariatric bed; thus, it can accommodate all weights and has more excellent dimensions.

Operation 

An ICU bed has fully electric and automatic operations. As a result, patients can initiate positional change without the help of medical staff, thanks to the controls on the side rails and remote controls. 

Also, the most suitable mattress for this bed relieves pressure to improve patients' comfort. The mattress can be an air type or one made of foam.

A significant limitation of ICU beds is that they can't be operated manually. This poses a risk to a patient in case of a power outage. But some ICU beds have backup batteries, which is an added advantage when considering a purchase. 

However, the regular hospital bed is majorly manual or partially electrical. It's common in the wards where patients with non-critical conditions are admitted. Traditional mattresses don't require auto-positioning because, in most cases, patients in the wards can do so by themselves. 

Accessories

Generally, an ICU bed has more accessories than a regular bed. This is because the former caters to patients with critical medical interventions; thus, extra materials are needed. The weighing system is a standard accessory in the ICU bed lacking in many regular beds.

Level of Care

Hospital patients are generally grouped based on care levels or treatment requirements. These levels dictate a patient's bed type. There are four primary levels; 0 to 3. Level 0 patients don't have severe ailments and are admitted to standard beds. Level 1 patients are convalescents from levels 2 and 3. The two latter levels (2 and 3) receive intensive care treatment; thus, they require ICU beds. 

Price

ICU beds are generally more expensive than regular beds. This is because they are equipped with more accessories and facilitate patient access in emergencies. 

4 Important Factors to Consider in an ICU bed

Trendelenburg Positioning is a Must

The Trendelenburg position, in which the legs are elevated with the head down, is necessary for improving respiratory and cardiac functions. Also, the reverse-Trendelenburg is a good position for head and neck surgeries. With this in mind, choosing an ICU bed that offers these positionings is essential.

Cardiac Chair

Another feature to consider when buying an ICU bed is the cardiac chair. This helps mitigate pulmonary embolisms and other heart-related conditions, especially during surgeries.  

Antibacterial Material

Patients in the ICU have serious health issues, and the last thing you want for them is an acquired infection. Therefore, ensure that the ICU bed is made of antibacterial materials. Also, ensure that they are water-resistant and water allows the proliferation of microbes.

In-Built X-Ray Trays

X-ray imaging is a necessary medical procedure that will most likely be needed for ICU patients. Hence, the ICU bed must have mobile x-ray trays to allow easy positioning of the x-ray machine while the patient is on the bed. This is another exciting feature that is not common in regular hospital beds.

How Much Does an ICU Bed Cost?

There are numerous models and designs of ICU beds on the market, but their prices vary based on their accessories and adjustment functions. For example, a 5-function ICU bed with backrest, knee rest, Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, and height adjustment. On the other hand, the 7-function type includes all plus the lateral tilt function. Hence you would expect the latter to cost more. 

Where to Buy the Best ICU Beds at the Best Prices?

You can buy the best ICU beds at wholesale prices on medwish.com. Medwish is an online B2B vendor that handles healthcare equipment and furniture sales and distribution. Private laboratories, international agents, and hospitals are significant recipients of Medwish's goods and services.

Are you stuck on choosing the right ICU bed for your facility? Don't worry, as Medwish has a rich catalog of ICU beds, and you can discuss with the team to guide your decision.  

Interestingly, you can pay in bits, so don't worry about how much you have. Also, Medwish provides various payment platforms, from Paypal, L/C, VISA, MasterCard, etc.  

Conclusion

The ICU bed is a vital piece of furniture in the hospital. Unlike regular hospital beds, ICU beds are designed to facilitate rapid intervention for patients in a critical state. As a result, they can't be replaced by standard beds. When buying an ICU bed, consider the four factors mentioned earlier. Contact Medwish today for your ICU beds and other medical furniture.