The 5 Best Electric Hospital Beds [Ranked]
Electric hospital beds are no longer purely hospital furniture. With the rise of home care, you can find electric hospital beds in many people’s homes today.
These beds are often designed with a wide range of ‘power’ features that make it convenient for an individual to sleep comfortably and take care of other activities as well.
With the press of a finger, the individual can raise their head up in a sitting position and then let it back down to lay flat on their backs.
These positions are dictated by the need and preferences of each person.
Importantly, an electric hospital bed helps caregivers, as well- especially if they don’t have the strength to easily position the user in the bed using a manual crank.Â
Contents
Comparing The Options
- 3 CLASSIC FUNCTIONS: These include movement that adjusts the head and the foot of the bed. The knee section can also be adjusted to be raised or lowered. The entire bed can also be raised to 24 inches off the ground or lowered to 15 inches off the ground. All functions are handled electronically with the bedside controls.
- 5 CLASSIC FUNCTIONS: These include Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg movement in addition to the standard elevation of the head, knees, and feet. The bed can also be lowered from 19 inches or elevated to 30 inches in height. With these functions, the patient can be positioned in Trendelenburg, Fowler’s, semi-Fowler’s, high-Fowler’s, and standard chair positions. There are angle degree displays for the head elevation and Trendelenburg movements for precise positioning of the patient.
- 3 CLASSIC FUNCTIONS: These include movement that adjusts the head and the foot of the bed. The knee section can also be adjusted to be raised or lowered. The entire bed can also be raised to 28 inches off the ground or lowered to 16 inches off the ground. All functions are handled electronically with the bedside controls.
How They Work
Drive Medical is a popular, medical-care product provider. They offer a range of different styles that are conveniently available on Amazon.
If you’re not sure what you need, check out VitalityMedical’s product finder tool– you answer a couple of questions and they generate a medical bed recommendation that suits your needs.Â
Which One Should You Get?
RehabMart has an excellent article that dissects this issue. Important considerations include:Â
How mobile is the user?
- Less mobile users could benefit from an electric option that can help them sit up and get in and out of the bed.
How long will the bed be needed?
- RehabMart says that for longterm use, of if the user will be in bed for 15+ hours a day, “then a full-electric bed might be the best choice for their long-term comfort.” But, for shorter-term use, a manual or semi-electric bed is a better option.
User size?
- Depending on how short or tall the user is, you might want to purchase extended or shortened bed surfaces. As well, if the user is a larger or heavier person, you might want to buy a bariatric bed. There are also pediatric options that are smaller and specifically sized for children.
Caregiver considerations?
- If the caregiver is unable to operate a manual crank (like those present in regular and semi-electric beds) for adjustment, you’ll want to invest in a fully electric bed for powered, patient maneuverability.Â
More Details
There are many different types of beds on the market today, and they are being constructed in many different styles, models, and features.
Based on the manufacturer and purpose for each bed that is made, they can be designed specifically for certain types of medical needs and preferences.
Some of these beds are work by manual operations only, while others like the electric hospital bed are designed to work via electrical means.
For instance, whenever anyone has an electric hospital bed in their homes, they can manipulate and manage the bed through adjustable controls. These beds can be found in places other than hospitals, including nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
Whenever an individual buys a hospital bed to be used in the privacy of their own homes, they need to choose a bed that will fit comfortably in the space that they are required to fill.
For instance, if the person will be located in an exceptionally small room, they may only need a twin electric hospital bed to suit their purposes. On the other hand, if the room is not small, the person may be able to fit a full-size electric hospital bed in the allotted space.
Buying Guide
When you are buying an electric hospital bed for a family member or a friend, it is very important that you know exactly what to look for. Since each electric hospital bed can be vastly different in its features and functionality, you need to know what is actually available on the market prior to making a decision.
Here are some of the most notable conveniences that you should be considering as you review the options that you need and want.
- Control System: Side Rails control system that offers smooth and quiet navigation and movement systems. This electric bed can be controlled in at least one of 2 ways: side rail controls and/or a handheld pendant
- Ease Of Use: Features are intuitive so patients can operate this electric bed with ease without a lot of unnecessary problems
- Maneuverability: Manufacturers have included a centralized locking system that consists of the following: 5 in alum caster wheels, brake pedals, Moves with ease on a variety of surfaces in hospital floors and homes
- Presets: Classic functions that can be used to customize patients activities
- Size & Weight Capacity: Size and weights vary with limits (i.e.electric bed can hold up to 500 pounds)
- Warranty Options:Â Many of the beds we’ve seen provide 2 to 5-year warranties- make sure you know the warranty prior to purchase
Typical Costs
If you are thinking about buying a hospital bed anytime soon, it is very important that you explore the cost ranges prior to making a decision.
Since the cost of an electric hospital bed can vary greatly based on a number of different factors, you should do your research first.
This is especially true for those of you who have a limited budget that you are working within.
Hence, when you are shopping around for prices, you will most like find that these beds may start in the high 3 figures to the low 5 figures, depending on its size and its features.
Here are the specifications that determine how much an individual will pay for an electric hospital bed.
Price Factors
Depending on the following options, your bed price will vary a good deal:
- Bed Dimensions
- Weight Capacity
- Included Bed Sheets
- Included Mattress Pads
- Trapeze Bars
- Rails
- IV Poles
Electric Hospital Bed Types: Electric Vs Semi-Electric
According to Vitality Medical, to semi-electric beds are medical beds that are quite similar.
While both employ motors to raise the head and foot sections of the bed, full-electric homcare beds have the capability to raise or lower the height of the bed parallel to the floor automatically, while semi-electric beds employ a hand crank to raise and lower the bed deck.
Each electric hospital bed is designed by the manufacturer and they have different types that a homeowner can purchase.
For instance, you may look online to find the best sellers to make your choices from today. In some cases, the manufacturer may offer the following 2 types that patients can make their selections from.
The choice that most people make is based on features that they want and prefer as well as the price that they can afford to pay.
Controls
When you look for an electric hospital bed, you can determine which one is best for you based on the controls. Because the controls for each electric bed can vary in functionality, you will have an opportunity to select the best option for your particular needs.
It is also important to note that some of these controls are much more innovative than others and the cost will often rise accordingly.
The least expensive bed control usually gives the patient a 2-function 9 pin hand control device and the more advanced and most expensive hand control can range up to as high as $300. With the more expensive version, the patient will have a device that is built to use for medial bath lift features.
Typical Dimensions
As you do your research on the type of electric hospital bed that you want to purchase, you need to pay close attention to the actual bed dimensions.Â
According to PHC-Online, home hospital beds typically have an exterior measurement of 84″ x 36″ and require a mattress measuring 80″ x 36″. There are size extensions available to increase the length by four inches.
In general, most of them are engineered to hold a weight load of up to 450 pounds, while heavier-duty bariatric beds can deal with up to 1,000 pounds and are available in wider sizes.
Each option should be considered based on all factors, particularly when you are buying an electric hospital bed for someone who has gained a considerable amount of weight.
Another interesting product you might want to supplement with is a blanket support lift to lift a sometimes painful blanket off of a patient’s feet.Â
