How Many Types Of Hospital Beds Are There?

A manual hospital bed is a type of medical bed designed for use in healthcare settings and home care environments, offering basic adjustments to accommodate the needs of patients and caregivers. Manual beds rely on hand cranks or levers to adjust the bed’s height, head, and foot sections and these constant manual adjustments can help improve patient comfort, facilitate medical care, and assist with transfers to and from the bed. Manual hospital beds are generally more affordable than their electric counterparts, making them a practical option for facilities with budget constraints or for short-term use. Medicare/Medicaid often provide these beds. However, they may not be suitable for patients requiring frequent position changes, as the manual adjustments can be labor-intensive for caregivers. Despite their limitations, manual hospital beds still provide support and comfort for patients in various healthcare situations.

A semi-electric hospital bed is a type of medical bed that combines features of both manual and electric hospital beds, offering a balance between functionality and affordability. These beds provide electrically powered adjustments for the head and foot sections, allowing for quick and easy position changes with the push of a button. Meanwhile, the bed’s height adjustment is typically managed manually using a hand crank or lever. Semi-electric hospital beds are well-suited for patients who require frequent position changes for comfort or medical reasons, but do not need the full range of electric adjustments. They can help reduce a small amount of the physical strain on caregivers while still being relatively budget-friendly compared to fully electric beds. Medicare/Medicaid often provide these beds.

A fully electric hospital bed, also known as a powered medical bed of fully adjustable hospital bed, is a medical bed designed to offer the highest level of convenience, comfort, and functionality for both patients and caregivers. Fully electric beds are equipped with electrically powered controls that enable smooth and effortless adjustments of the bed’s height, head, and foot sections at the touch of a button. These beds are particularly beneficial for patients who are fully bedridden, have limited mobility or those who require frequent position changes for medical reasons, as they largely reduce or eliminate the physical effort required by caregivers. Additionally, some fully electric hospital beds may offer advanced features such as Auto Contour, Chair Position, Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg positioning, which can help manage specific medical conditions or facilitate certain procedures. Fully electric hospital beds often come with extra features such as integrated side rails, customizable mattress options, and built-in storage compartments to further enhance patient comfort and safety. However, because of the many extra features and luxury design they tend to be more expensive than other medical beds, making them a more significant investment for healthcare or home care. Despite the higher cost, fully electric hospital beds provide unparalleled convenience and adaptability for the widest range of patient care needs.

This is SonderCare’s specialty and a preferred method of care for loved one’s wishing to maintain comfort and ease of use. A pendant or remote allows the patient to adjust the bed’s elevation and orientation. SonderCare bed users often remark at how easy it is to enter and exit the bed or to elevate the mattress to a comfortable height so that the caregiver can efficiently do their duties such as changing, repositioning, cleaning or treating the occupant.

A bariatric hospital bed is a specialized medical bed designed specifically to accommodate the unique needs of bariatric patients, who are individuals with a higher body weight or larger body size. Bariatric hospital beds are engineered to provide enhanced support, safety, and comfort for patients by featuring a more substantial weight capacity, wider dimensions, and reinforced construction compared to standard hospital beds.

A low bed is designed for patients who are at risk of falling out of bed. It is lower to the ground than a standard hospital bed to reduce the risk of falls.

A Trendelenburg bed is used to position patients in a partially upright position to help with breathing or circulation.

A reverse Trendelenburg bed is used to position patients in a partially inverted position, while a Trendelenburg bed positions patients in a partially upright position.

A pediatric bed is designed for children and is smaller in size than a standard hospital bed.

A birthing bed is used during childbirth and is equipped with features such as stirrups and a headrest to assist with delivery.

A hospice bed is designed for patients who are receiving end-of-life care. It is typically equipped with rails and other safety features to prevent falls.

An intensive care bed is used in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is equipped with features such as a bed rail, an IV pole, and a headrest.

An isolation bed is used for patients who are in isolation due to an infectious disease. It may have features such as a privacy curtain and a built-in sink to help prevent the spread of infection.

An air mattress bed is equipped with an air-filled mattress that adjusts to the shape of the patient’s body and redistributes pressure to help prevent pressure ulcers.

A hospital cot is a portable bed that can be easily moved from one location to another. It is typically used for short-term stays or in emergency situations.

A stretcher bed is used to transport patients from one location to another, such as from the ambulance to the hospital. It is equipped with wheels and can be adjusted to different positions to ensure the comfort and safety of the patient during transport.