The Perfect Buyer’s Guide to Purchasing Hospital Beds For Private and Medical Use

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Rest, comfort and sleep are some of the important elements for patient recovery. Although they are not as glamorous as some other medical equipment, hospital beds have a large role in the care and treatment of patients.

In this post, we will be examining what hospital beds are, their types, what to look out for when buying one, and where to get patient beds for your healthcare institution.

What is a Hospital Bed?

The WHO defines a hospital bed as a bed that is regularly maintained and staffed for the accommodation and full-time care of a succession of inpatients and is situated inwards or a part of the hospital where continuous medical care for inpatients is provided.

Essentially, a hospital bed is specially built for patients who are in hospitals or require some form of health care. These beds have several unique features both to ensure the comfort and well-being of the patient as well as to make things easier for health care workers.

They are often wheeled and can be raised or lowered depending on the patient's health needs.

Other common names for a hospital bed include in-patient bed, medical bed, mechanical hospital bed, etc.

Medical Beds and Regular Beds: How They Compare

Naturally, the question arises: "Why not just use a regular bed in the hospital, they're more homely after all?"

Well sure, they're generally more comfortable. However, there are several reasons why using an in-patient bed is better for both the patient and health care professionals.

These include:

Mobility

For one, regular beds aren't built to support transportation in and out of hospital rooms. Hospital beds on the other hand have gotten around this problem by having wheels underneath so that they can be easily maneuvered.

Wheels enable easy movement of the bed, either within parts of the facility in which they are located or within the room. Sometimes the movement of the bed a few inches to a few feet may be necessary for patient care.

Adjustable

Medical beds are often adjustable into various positions. This is necessary because patients may frequently need to stand up/semi-upright on their own. Since it makes it significantly easier for nurses if the patients can do so via an electromechanical platform, this makes sense.

Other than adjustable head/foot angles, in-patient beds also have the capability of raising or lowering their height. When caring for mental health patients who may climb over rails and fall out of bed during the night, it's critical to be able to decrease the height.

Conversely, being able to adjust the height may be important for Hoyer patient lifts that assist disabled persons going from a wheelchair to their bed.

Safety

Medical beds are generally equipped with restraints or other safety features to ensure that patients cannot accidentally fall out of bed.

For the same reason, they may also be made more stable than regular beds to prevent them from tipping over. This is especially important when you consider how many nurses and doctors move through a hospital every day pushing around equipment.

These restraints just would not look right on a regular bed now, would they?

What is an In-Patient Bed Made of?

Hospital bed panels are commonly made from ABS plastic, stainless steel, or wood.

ABS is a standard material used in construction and there are plenty of reasons why: it's cheap to make (relatively), has great impact resistance, and is quite durable. ABS is also easy to clean and disinfect.

You may also see in-patient beds made from stainless steel or wood.

Stainless steel is highly durable and sturdy, so hospital staff can be confident it will last a long time. It's also extremely easy to clean since dirt does not stick very well on its surface.

Occasionally one may come across in-patient bed panels made of wood. Wooden patients tend to be heavier than ABS or steel and may require regular refinishing or varnishing due to wear and tear over time.

If you contemplate using the bed to move patients around frequently, then you might want to go for an ABS bed or stainless one

Types of Hospital Beds

There are 3 major types of hospital beds. They are full-electric hospital beds, semi-electric ones, and manual beds.

Full-Electric Medical Beds

Full-electric beds use an electric engine to alter the height of the bed as well as the head and foot areas. These modifications are carried out with the help of remote control, allowing for easy re-positioning by pressing a button on the remote.

A pulley framework with steel links is used in full-electric beds to securely raise or lower the height of patients who require the bed to be lowered so that they can get up quickly without straining, and for care providers who want the bed higher for feeding, medication, or other purposes.

Semi-Electric Medical Beds

semi-electric beds utilize a similar kind of remote control as a full-electric bed, however the remote controls only the head and foot sections.

Changing bed height is still done by hand with the use of a hand wrench at the foot of the bed.

Manual Medical Beds

Manually operated beds have hand levers for raising and lowering the head and foot of the bed, as well as changing its height.

Although manual beds are less expensive than electric beds that change heights using electric settings, adjusting them manually with a hand lever, can be physically demanding.

That is why manual hospital beds are excellent for patients who are in a fixed or semi-stationary posture and do not require frequent repositioning.

Parts of a Typical Hospital Bed

Common features of an in-patient bed include wheels, side rails, tilting columns, Bed exit alarm, electronic buttons to operate both the bed and other nearby electronic devices, etc.

Hospital Bed Uses

Medical beds may be used in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, psychiatric wards, or any other medical establishment. They can also be found at home as a way to care for an aging family member who needs special attention like those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or for someone recovering from a surgical procedure.

What to Look for When Buying a Hospital Bed?

Here are the major factors to take note of before buying a hospital bed

Type

We already discussed what types of patient beds are above. You should consider which of the three is best for you. Full-electric beds are certainly a great help to the patient and they also ease the caregiver's strain. Their only downside is that they may be a bit pricey.

On the other end of the spectrum, manual beds cost a great deal less but would require a lot of hands-on handling and adjusting. Semi-electric beds are well, here and there when it comes to the comfort vs cost factor.

Ultimately, you should weigh cost, comfort as well as the particular needs of the patients who would be using the beds before buying one.

For instance, if a patient is in a fixed position and would remain there for some time, a manual bed wouldn't necessarily be a bad choice. However, if the patient would be requiring position quite a lot, then a semi-electric or full-electric bed would be best.

Desirable Features

Many features can be built into an in-patient bed which would make it more functional or desirable for you. For one, there is the Bed Exit Alarm which sounds an alarm whenever someone attempts to get out of the bed without assistance. This comes in handy when patients who need help getting up find themselves unable to do so on their own.

Other desirable features include storage compartments on the sides of the beds and even built-in scales which can help keep track of weight changes. All these provide more convenience for both the patients and the caregivers.

Patient Mobility

When it comes to in-patient beds, mobility is an important consideration. Patients who are unsteady on their feet and at risk of falling while moving in and out of bed, who can't change positions without help, and who can't get into or out of bed safely without the height being adjusted should be put into a highly adjustable bed (either full-electric or semi-electric).

If a patient can walk in and out of bed without assistance and remains steady when standing, a highly adjustable bed is not required. A manually adjusted bed is a more cost-effective alternative.

Patient Size and Weight

For obvious reasons, the size and weight of the patient is a key feature that determines what size of bed to buy.

The taller a patient, the longer their bed should be. However, there are many other factors to consider as well such as age (infants need smaller beds than adults) and weight (heavier patients may require bariatric beds).

Physical Stamina of Caregiver

The physical strength of the caregiver needs to be considered, to ensure the proper level of care can be provided.

If a patient who requires a lot of position changes is being more taken care of by a caregiver who has not much physical strength, then a manual bed wouldn’t be the best choice. An electric bed will be a better fit.

Conversely, if the nurse is strong and has considerable stamina, then a manual bed may not be a bad choice.

Positioning

A medical bed's positioning features can make a significant difference in comfort and quality of sleep for patients who spend most of their time in bed, particularly if mobility difficulties prevent them from regularly self-repositioning. The patient's experience is influenced by the number of sections, position choices, and height adjustability.

The most popular positioning options are the Trendelenburg (the patient is prone with the head lowered below the feet), reverse Trendelenburg (the patient is prone with the head raised above the heart and the legs), and Fowler's positions (a sitting position where the patient is in a semi-upright position at an angle between 30 and 90 degrees).

Bed Rails

Bed Rails are a key consideration when buying medical beds because they can provide additional safety when transferring or moving within the bed.

Furthermore, bed rails are beneficial for patients with difficulty turning in bed, and patients who are at high risk of falling out of bed. Additionally, bed rails provide a feeling of comfort and security to the patient.

Accessories

A medical bed is best when it comes with the right accessories that are needed for optimal comfort, safety, and convenience.

Some of these include overbed tables for helping patients read or play board games, bedside commodes for patients who have trouble walking by themselves, gutter guards which prevent spills from entering inside the mattress, etc.

Price

The price of a medical bed is another key factor that should be considered when buying one.

Different types of beds have different prices, and some more advanced models cost considerably higher than their simpler counterparts.

It’s best to purchase the most affordable model possible without compromising on its efficiency in providing care for patients with mobility difficulties. For instance, a simple bed is enough to provide safety and comfort for those who have partial mobility. It’s only when the patient requires continuous medical care that more advanced features of higher-priced beds come in handy.

Ease of Use

The ease of use of a hospital bed by a patient or caregiver is another key factor when it comes to buying one.

Electric beds are ultimately easier to use than manual ones. However, patients or caregivers who are not familiar with them may need clear instructions on how they work particularly if the bed is one with multiple functions.

Durability

The lifespan of certain parts, such as batteries and motors can vary from one-bed model to another. When buying electric beds, you should go for those that have long service life so you don't need to replace them too early or buy expensive spare parts/batteries before they need to be replaced.

Brands

Buying beds made by reputable brands is essential if you want high-quality beds.

The biggest manufacturers of hospital beds include Paramount Bed, Hill-Rom, Stryker, and Invacare Hospital Bed.

It is advisable not to buy hospital beds that do not have the requisite certifications such as the IEC, CE, ISO, and GMP certificates. This is to make sure that the bed was produced in accordance to clear international standards and safety requirements.

Warranty

A valid warranty on a hospital bed, particularly on electric beds, is another important consideration when buying one.

This is because the warranty ensures that you don't spend money buying something that may not work properly or last for a while.

Ensure that you make the most out of your money by going for beds that will provide you assurance in terms of durability and the services provided.

Some beds also come with a warranty that ensures that goods receive financial compensation consequent upon losses caused by natural disasters or accidents during the shipping process.

But you should always ensure that you read the terms and conditions of the warranty before purchasing.

Payment Options

Another aspect to consider when purchasing hospital beds from a supplier is the availability of a variety of payment choices. It's useful to have alternatives that suit your needs.

Suppliers such as Medwish.com offer both product financing and hospital project financing options to help you purchase hospital beds and other medical devices in a manner best tailored to your financial strength and facility needs.

Hospital Bed Price guide

The cost of hospital beds differs depending on factors such as brand, condition, specifications, and most particularly, type.

Some of the models of different brands as well as their price ranges are as follows:

• Paramount A5 series 5 Function Electric ICU Bed which may cost around 1800 USD.
• The Hill-Rom 1039/1048 Bariatric Bed likely costs around 11,000 USD.
• The Stryker Secure II 3002 (115 VAC) Electric for which you can get a refurbished one at around 2500 USD.
• The Invacare G-Series Bed costs around 2,800 USD.
• The AG-BR006 Electric ICU Hospital Bed costs around 3000 USD.
• The AG-BMS001C manual hospital bed costs around 700 USD.
• The SLV-B4110 Hospital Bed costs around 3700 USD.

Note that these prices may often vary and as such are not conclusive.

Where to Buy Hospital Beds in Bulk With Wholesale Pricing

In case you're wondering where to get hospital beds in bulk, Medwish.com is the best platform to buy them from.

At Medwish.com, we have several models of manual, semi-electric, and full-electric beds with various accessories and optional features for you to choose from.

We are a worldwide B2B marketplace that specializes in the supply and procurement of medical equipment and devices.

The Medwish.com staff works with several worldwide top service providers in such areas as logistics, insurance, finance, and customs clearance, to ensure prompt delivery and quality services.

Wholesale Price Advantage on Medwish.com

Buying hospital beds in bulk from Medwish.com is less expensive than buying them locally since you will pay less. It also helps to develop a close business connection.

Ultimately, buying your hospital beds and other medical equipment helps you to get more facilities for your hospital or health institution and would help in saving costs without compromising on quality and safety.

Medwish.com also offers product financing options and hospital construction financing options to help secure financial collaborations and help you get the best hospital beds and other medical equipment with little financial stress.

Bottom-line

Hospitals must ensure that they have the best hospital beds available to protect patient safety and convenience. This is yet another incentive for hospitals to acquire beds that are certified to medical and safety criteria while also catering to patients' unique demands.

Call us at Medwish.com now to get the high-quality hospital beds that are appropriate for your hospital needs.