When caring for a loved one at home or outfitting a medical facility, choosing the right hospital bed is essential. The two most common options are manual hospital beds and electric hospital beds. Each type has its own advantages, making it crucial to understand their features, usage, and suitability.
Click here to get more.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
A hospital bed is a specially designed medical bed that provides comfort, safety, and support for individuals with limited mobility, chronic conditions, or recovering from surgery. Unlike regular beds, hospital beds offer adjustable features such as head, foot, and height adjustments.
Hospital beds come in two main types:
A manual hospital bed is a budget-friendly option that requires hand-crank adjustments to change bed positions. It is commonly used in short-term care or for patients with minimal movement needs.
✅ Cost-effective – Cheaper than electric beds, ideal for budget-conscious buyers.
✅ Durable – Fewer electrical components mean less maintenance and a longer lifespan.
✅ No electricity needed – Functions even during power outages.
❌ Requires physical effort to adjust, which can be challenging for caregivers.
❌ Limited flexibility – Not suitable for patients who frequently change positions.
An electric hospital bed is a motorized bed that allows users or caregivers to adjust its position with the push of a button.
✅ Easy to use – Adjust positions with minimal effort.
✅ Improves patient independence – Some models allow patients to control their position themselves.
✅ Customizable settings – Offers multiple adjustments for maximum comfort.
❌ Higher cost – More expensive than manual beds.
❌ Requires electricity – May not function during power outages unless equipped with a backup battery.
???? Examples of Electric Hospital Beds:
When selecting a hospital bed, consider the following factors:
1️⃣ Patient Mobility – If the patient has limited movement, an electric hospital bed is the best option.
2️⃣ Caregiver Availability – If a caregiver is always available, a manual hospital bed may be sufficient.
3️⃣ Budget – Manual beds are more affordable, while electric beds offer better convenience.
4️⃣ Room Space – Ensure your chosen bed fits comfortably within the space available.
5️⃣ Additional Features – Look for beds with side rails, overbed tables, or mattress options.
To ensure longevity and safety, follow these maintenance tips:
✔ Regularly inspect for any loose parts, broken cranks, or electrical issues.
✔ Clean the bed frame and mattress to prevent bacteria buildup.
✔ Check the wheels to ensure smooth movement and locking mechanisms.
✔ Lubricate moving parts of manual beds to prevent stiffness.
✔ Test the remote control and motor function on electric beds periodically.
If you're looking for high-quality manual and electric hospital beds, check out Neolee Rehab Supply for a range of durable and reliable options.
???? Why Buy from Neolee Rehab Supply?
✅ Wide range of manual and electric hospital beds
✅ Affordable pricing with warranty options
✅ Expert advice on choosing the right bed
Choosing between a manual or electric hospital bed depends on patient needs, caregiver availability, and budget. Manual beds are ideal for short-term use and cost-conscious buyers, while electric beds provide maximum comfort and ease of use for long-term care.
Link to defeng
???? Need help selecting the best hospital bed? Visit Neolee Rehab Supply or contact us today for expert recommendations!
Whereas a normal bed is permanently flat, a hospital bed allows the patient or their caregiver to adjust the head and foot sections independently to come to a semi-seated position or raise the legs or knees. This is an important feature for patients who will be spending a significant amount of time in bed.
Foot section. Being able to raise the lower body is a great advantage for patients with a foot or knee injury or a condition that causes swelling in the feet because it encourages blood flow back to the heart.
Head section. The ability to raise the head and back to a semi-sitting position is helpful when the patient wants to watch TV or spend time with visitors. The upper panel can then be lowered again, allowing the patient to sleep comfortably.
Hospital beds, or adjustable medical beds, are made with heavy use in mind. For that reason, the typical hospital bed mattress is made from therapeutic foam that's both comfortable and strong and is covered in a thick, easy-clean vinyl outer layer.
To cushion the patient’s pressure points and prevent or treat bed sores, gel, foam, water, and reactive-air overlays are often used on top of the mattress. The head and foot sections of the home hospital bed can also be adjusted to change the patient's position, maximize comfort, and encourage circulation.
Because hospital beds can be raised and lowered vertically, they make it much easier for patients to transfer to a power wheelchair or mobility aid for walking compared to regular beds. This function also makes it easier to transfer the patient from one surface to another using a sit-to-stand lift or a regular patient lift.
Patients with good upper body strength can use the overhead trapeze bar that comes with many hospital beds to help them change positions and go from sitting to standing. For the caregiver, the adjustable height that is a feature of many hospital beds can help to prevent back injuries associated with bending over for long periods of time.
While two people can sleep in a regular bed, hospital beds are made to be used by one patient at a time. In a hospital setting, this is ideal because it gives nurses full access to each patient. However, in a home setting, couples may want to sleep together.
If the patient will only need the hospital bed temporarily while recovering from an illness or surgery, sleeping alone may not be a huge issue and could be the best way to keep the patient safe. For long-term use, consider two hospital beds pushed together (remember to lock the wheels) or an adjustable split-king medical bed.
Because of their utilitarian design, hospital beds typically come in a much smaller range of designs compared to ordinary beds—particularly as far as the headboard, footboard, and bed railing are concerned. If you're renting a hospital bed, you will have an even more limited choice of designs from which to choose. Learn the 7 most important factors when renting a hospital bed.
The good news is that—as hospital beds become more popular for home use—models are now available that look more like traditional beds and can be made to fit your existing decor. If you are looking to buy a hospital bed for long-term use, ask about the options available.
Hospital beds tend to be heavier than regular beds because of the strong frame, electric circuitry, hinges, rails, and head and footboards. Bariatric beds, in particular, weigh a lot more than regular beds thanks to their sturdy construction and extra-large bariatric mattresses. To make them easier to move, hospital beds usually come with wheels or can be broken apart, so you should never have to lift the entire bed.
If you or a loved one requires a hospital bed, consider putting the bed on the ground floor of the home in a room that's easy for the patient and others to access. When renting or purchasing the bed, it's also well worth having it delivered. Don't risk injuring yourself.
Semi-electric hospital beds and full-electric beds—such as the ones rented and sold at our Denver, Colorado showroom—need to be plugged into a power outlet to power the motor that adjusts the bed. The original manual hospital beds didn't require powering because they were adjusted via a hand crank.
While a manual bed might be too cumbersome for a caregiver who is physically weak, semi-electric beds offer a good compromise—the convenience of an electric bed with or without a hand crank to change the vertical height.
When you weigh all factors, hospital beds offer more advantages than disadvantages for a patient who needs additional comfort, safety, and assistance. The few disadvantages that can come with hospital beds (such as separate sleeping, aesthetics, weight, and a power source) are easy to work around and shouldn't be a problem for most.
For more information, please visit Manual Bed Crank Handle.