6 Facts to Know Before You Buy a Hospital Bed in 2022

You or a loved one need a home hospital bed, and you’ve browsed the web to see what’s available. But the range of options has left you confused. Should you buy a home hospital bed or an adjustable bed? Which adjustments do you require? How big are home hospital beds, and will one fit in your bedroom? 

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You want to choose the best home hospital bed, but how do you buy a bed that meets the patient’s needs? In this article, we cut through the jargon and answer some of the biggest questions asked by people who are new to the world of home hospital beds.

Start with the Patient

Before buying a home hospital bed, it’s essential to think about the bed user’s needs. It’s easier to identify the best hospital bed with a list of requirements in hand. If you’re researching beds for an elderly or disabled relative, the first step is to talk to them—they know their needs better than anyone. Ask about their experiences with their current bed and the features of a hospital bed that would improve their quality of life and safety. 

If your bed’s intended user can’t explain their needs, consider talking to a medical or caregiving professional. Their experience of hospital beds in the home environment means they understand the best options for dealing with various conditions. 

When putting a list of requirements together, keep the following questions in mind:

• What type of disability or physical limitation does the patient have?

• Are they a

  wheelchair user

  who needs help transferring to and from the bed?

• Do they struggle to get into and out of bed without assistance?

• Do they face difficulty sitting up or lying down?

• Does their treatment program advise they sleep in a particular position? For example, people with back trouble and some heart conditions are advised to sleep in a slightly elevated position or the

  cardiac chair position

  . 

• Are they bedridden

  , and how long will they spend in bed each day?

• Will they share the bed with someone else? If so, they may benefit from a

  Dual King adjustable bed

  .

• Is the patient a heavier person who may need a bed with a higher weight capacity, also known as a

  bariatric hospital bed

  ?

Once you have a clear idea of the bed user’s needs, you can begin to identify home hospital beds that best meet them. But first, let’s answer the most common questions hospital bed buyers ask. 

1. Hospital Bed vs. Adjustable Bed: What’s the Difference?

As you research, you will find beds described as hospital beds or adjustable beds. They seem to have many of the same features, so how are they different? In fact, these terms are often used interchangeably, and there’s no well-defined list of differences. 

Whether a bed retailer or manufacturer calls their products “home hospital beds” or “adjustable beds” is simply a preference. Some say beds with only head and foot adjustments are adjustable beds, while hospital beds must also have a height adjustment. Others say hospital beds are single occupancy, and any larger bed—queen-size, or king-size—is an adjustable bed. 

These distinctions are arbitrary. Whichever bed you are looking at, ensure it has the features you need and that the manufacturer has a reputation for making robust, high-quality products—regardless of whether they describe them as home hospital beds,  adjustable beds, or medical beds. 

2. Hospital Bed Adjustments Explained

Home hospital beds are adjustable. The bed frame is articulated so that it can be moved into multiple positions. All adjustable beds feature a head adjustment; the upper portion pivots upward to support the occupant lying down, sitting up, and points in between. More sophisticated beds have additional adjustments that may include:

• Foot adjustments with knee break.

• Height adjustment for wheelchair transfers and to help people enter and exit the bed safely.

• Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg adjustments tilt the bed’s frame up or down at the head or foot.

A hospital bed may include only the head adjustment or a head adjustment in combination with others. The most sophisticated beds—including the Transfer Master Supernal 5— have a complete range of adjustments. These are five-function home hospital beds, and we went into greater depth about them in What Is a 5 Function Hospital Bed?

Features to look out for when considering adjustments are:

• The range of height adjustability

  . Make sure the bed’s height range is appropriate for the intended occupant. Height range is particularly critical for wheelchair users. For example, the

  Supernal Hi-Low

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  Hospital Beds

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  has a 10“ height range from 10.5“ to  20.5“.

• Wall-hugging capability

  .

  Wall-hugging home hospital beds

  keep the occupant close to the wall when the bed’s head is raised. 

• Massage feature.

  In addition to profile adjustments, you may want to consider an

  adjustable bed with built-in massage functionality

  . 

3. Manual vs. Electric Hospital Beds?

Home hospital bed adjustments can be manual or motorized. The head, foot, and height adjustments must be moved by hand in a manual-powered home hospital bed. For height adjustments, that’s usually achieved by a hand crank. In contrast, electric home hospital beds are fitted with motors. The adjustments are changed via remote control, which might be wired or wireless, depending on the bed. 

We recommend buying an electric adjustable bed. Electric beds have multiple advantages compared to less sophisticated low-end manual beds. 

• The bed requires no physical strength to change adjustments. 

• People with mobility and strength limitations can control the bed without a caregiver’s help. 

• The bed occupant can adjust the height or profile while still in bed. 

Although they are more expensive than manual beds, electric adjustable beds offer the user a better quality of life, especially if they are bedridden or would struggle to operate a manual bed. 

4. Do I Need a New Mattress for a Home Hospital Bed?

Although it may be possible to use your current mattress on a home hospital bed, it can negatively impact the bed’s usefulness, comfort, and safety. Hospital beds change shape, and standard consumer mattresses are not flexible enough to accommodate a full range of movement. 

We advise our customers to use mattresses designed to work with home hospital beds. Our Supernal mattress range is designed to conform to the shape of the bed through a full range of adjustments while offering outstanding comfort for patients who spend long periods in bed.

5. How Big Are Adjustable Hospital Beds for the Home?

Adjustable hospital beds are available in sizes to suit most home environments and users.  A full-size hospital bed, also known as a double,  is approximately 54 inches wide and is suitable for most adults. If you have limited space or need a hospital bed for a child or small adult, consider a twin-size hospital bed, which is approximately 38 inches wide. 

For couples or larger individuals, we offer queen-size hospital beds, which are 60 inches wide, and king-size hospital beds, which are 76 inches wide. For couples who prefer to sleep together but would like to control each side of the bed independently,  we offer dual king adjustable beds, which comprise a pair of twin-size beds in one unit. 

Most hospital beds are 80 inches long, about 6 feet 8 inches. For taller people, we also offer extra-long hospital beds in some models, which are 84 inches or 7 feet long. 

6. What Is the Weight Capacity of a Home Hospital Bed?

When buying a home hospital bed, you should ensure that the bed’s weight capacity is sufficient to support the weight of the individual or couple who will use it. High-quality hospital beds can take a lot of weight, but overloading them may damage the motors and mechanisms that power the adjustments. 

Each model has a weight capacity specification. Our Supernal 5 has a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs, while the Supernal Hi-Low supports up to 400 lbs in the twin size and up to 500 lbs in full and queen sizes. For heavier individuals and couples, there are specialist bariatric adjustable beds that support a maximum weight of 700 lbs. 

We hope you now feel confident choosing a hospital bed for your home. If you have any more questions, check out our Home Hospital Bed FAQ or contact our sales team, who are happy to assist you in finding the best adjustable bed for your circumstances. 

America alone is home to more than 6,200 health facilities. All these hospitals have stretchers that play an invaluable role during emergencies. Years back, stretchers were basically hospital beds with steel poles. However, today’s stretchers are more than a hospital bed frame used for transporting the injured. A modern hospital stretcher comes with life support equipment that can save lives. There are different stretcher types deployed in various hospital departments. This means that a maternity ward stretcher will differ from that of a radiology unit. In short, every hospital stretcher type has its particular specifications.

There are basics that every hospital stretcher needs to have. They include an oxygen tank holder, perimeter bumpers, side rails, and restraint straps. The stretcher’s diagonal corners should have mounted brakes. Remember that brakes are vital to the driver when steering a hospital stretcher. The picture cannot be complete without a stretcher bed mattress. Mattresses prevent further injury through shock absorption. The mattress also supports the spine, neck, and head while on a flat back. Therefore, there’s more to a hospital bed than simply sleeping. Here is what you need to consider when buying hospital beds.

1. Desirable Features

The majority of home hospital beds are height adjustable, electric, and wooden. However, the market offers many options when scouting for hospital beds or stretchers for sale. The bed can have wood finishes, side railing, and tilting feature, among others. Having a list will help remember every feature you need. Among the possible features to include in your list are:

• Capability of accommodating air mattresses
• Height adjustment
• Side rails
• Ability to operate using a remote control
• Tilt feature
• Custom wood color
• Completely enclosed wooden foot and headboard

2. Profiling Mattress Platform

Most new and refurbished hospital beds have a profiling feature. This allows for the user to be able to sit-up as well as raise their legs to any comfortable position. A leg raiser, knee break, and head/backrest are characteristic features of profiling mattresses. A remote handset also makes electrical operation possible. This is not only convenient for the user, but also the caregiver who is able to easily nurse because they can properly position the user.

3. Low Bed for Users Prone to Falling

A common standard-height bed and low hospital beds are highly similar. The only difference is the possibility of lowering the bed nearly to the floor. A lowered hospital bed can go as low as 20 centimeters from the floor. The impact of falling is nothing much to worry about with such a short distance. Low beds are the best option for persons prone to falling. This explains why side rails are becoming less popular in favor of low beds.

4. Topnotch Quality

Purchasing a hospital bed is normally a one-time investment. A bed that won’t last you many years is the last thing you want. Always consider quality before looking at the price tag. You cannot go wrong with a hospital bed that has a warranty. Make sure that spare parts and labor costs are part of the warranty. Paying a low price for a bad quality bed will cost more in the future.

5. Suitable Design

Some people don’t like hospital beds that look uninviting and clinical. This is for good reason as such looks can make any living space cold. Fortunately, some dealers offer designer hospital beds. Keep in mind that a designer bed can cost an extra penny. However, a hospital bed with customized wood colors can help when on a budget. Such a bed will blend with your furniture without having to pay a fortune. Homely cushions and beddings will also make the room welcoming and cozy.

6. Choose a Good Supplier

A good supplier will help you get value for money. In fact, a reliable supplier is as essential as the hospital bed itself. One with excellent delivery and installation service is the best. Inquire about the supplier’s after-sale service and scout for reviews if possible.

7. Buy the Mattress from the Same Hospital Bed Vendor

Buying a mattress and bed from the same dealer avoids confusion should issues arise. A good example is when a faulty bed damages the mattress. Lodging a complaint can be tricky after sourcing from different suppliers in such a case. As a rule of thumb, always go for high-quality mattresses.

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