Smart vs. traditional hospital beds
How is smart bed technology transforming patient care?
Challenges experienced by manufacturers
How can we enhance smart bed use in the future?
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Smart hospital beds provide greater benefits beyond the place to rest for patients. These beds are equipped with a myriad of sensors and monitors that enable real-time monitoring of a patient’s vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, and movements.1
Therefore, sophisticated hospital beds not only enhance patients’ comfort but also provide invaluable information about their clinical condition to healthcare professionals, enabling them to deliver medical attention promptly.
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Smart vs. traditional hospital beds
Traditional hospital beds were designed to provide a place for patients to rest while they were being treated. Mostly, these beds are static, with limited or no available adjustments for patients' positioning or comfort. This lack of adaptability may not only cause discomfort but also lead to complications that could lead to prolonged hospital stays.2
Smart hospital beds are innovative beds integrated with advanced features and functionalities that provide significant comfort and safety for patients.3
The adjustable modes enable them to find the most comfortable position for sleeping, resting, or engaging in activities like watching television or reading. Certain smart beds are also equipped with built-in massage functions to relieve pain.
Automated electric beds, built in the s, underwent continual improvements through applications of modern research and technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, ergonomics, pressure layers, and built-in scales.4
Smart beds are developed by integrating technology and communications, such as computer vision, artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning, deep learning methods, and the IoT for rapid and precise monitoring of patients.5
Unlike traditional hospital beds, smart beds transmit clinical data wirelessly to healthcare providers, enabling them to closely monitor patients and provide immediate attention if any abnormalities are detected.4
Smart beds exploit technologies, such as graphical interfaces and actuators, to provide a higher level of service, including real-time monitoring.
Besides real-time monitoring of clinical data through sensors and IoT, current smart hospital beds are equipped with alarm systems to alert supervisors in case of abnormal event detection in patients.6
Advanced smart beds are designed to automatically update the patient’s medical record with all the acquired data, including the number of times the patient has been repositioned or left their beds.
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How is smart bed technology transforming patient care?
A combination of multiple technologies, including machine learning, a sensor network, a morphable tile-like surface, and computer support for data analysis, risk assessment, and alerts, has offered real-time monitoring of patient’s vital signs, including respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure, which helps prevent adverse outcomes.
For example, an abnormal elevation in body temperature indicates the risks of sepsis; therefore, these patients would require immediate assessment and intervention.7 Similarly, continual cardiorespiratory rate monitoring is essential for patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or those with sleep disorders to detect a life-threatening situation.
Smart beds equipped with a smart Fiber Bragg Grating (FGB) sensor system can automatically detect the behavior of bedridden patients and their vital signs.8 This system can effectively prevent patients from falling out of bed, bed soreness, and life-threatening situations (e.g., elevated heart rate).
Typically, the FGB interrogator is connected to a computer and an alarm system to alert medical professionals in case of abnormal clinical data.
A low-cost magnetic induction system has been designed to be placed underneath the bed mattress, which can detect a patient’s presence on the bed by monitoring his cardiorespiratory rate.
Ultra-wideband (UWB) sensors have been used for non-obtrusive sensing of vital parameters. These unobtrusive depth sensors have enabled remote monitoring of patient’s movement in their bed. This pressure-sensing architecture helps monitor the sleep quality of patients.8
Mapping pressure points on a patient’s body has also proved to be beneficial in determining whether a bed is occupied or not. This information is crucial in every care facility to detect whether a patient has fallen off the bed or tried to get out of it without assistance.
Deep learning and machine learning algorithms have also been applied to assess heartbeat signals generated by a 3D solid-state accelerometer embedded into a smart bed.9
Patients with medical conditions that limit their ability to change positions are at a high risk of developing bedding ulcers. The use of smart beds has reduced the incidence of pressure or bedding ulcers, which are skin injuries that occur due to prolonged pressure.1
Pressure sensors monitor and detect pressure over the entire patient’s body, modeling constructs pressure maps, and machine learning predicts the risks of developing pressure ulcers. This data helps medical staff to take prompt action to prevent pressure ulcers.
Challenges experienced by manufacturers
Stryker Corporation, Paramount Bed, Hill-Rom Holdings, Joerns Healthcare, Stiegelmeyer, Getinge Group, and Invacare Corporation are considered key players in the medical smart bed market.10
Despite the benefits, the limited adoption of smart beds and their restrictive market growth have been attributed to their high cost, regulatory hurdles, and data privacy concerns.
Furthermore, the majority of research has been conducted on prototypes rather than on real hospital beds, which limits the generalizability of the findings to actual clinical settings.8
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How can we enhance smart bed use in the future?
It is important to overcome the challenges above to enhance the wide use of smart beds. This can be achieved by fostering collaborative efforts between institutions and countries, increasing funding, standardizing protocols, and providing regulatory support.
Increased funding can support large-scale real-life studies across diverse populations, which is essential to assess the efficacy of new smart bed designs. Since newer smart bed designs use advanced technologies like electronic health records (EHRs) and AI, it is imperative to build public trust regarding data protection measures.
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An increase in awareness about the benefits of smart beds can further promote its broader implementation. Greater awareness about smart bed benefits could increase demand, which could boost the overall market size for medical smart beds in the coming years.
References
- Ajami S, Khaleghi L. A review on equipped hospital beds with wireless sensor networks for reducing bedsores. J Res Med Sci. ;20(10):-15. doi: 10./-..
- Tak SH, et al. Nurses' Perceptions About Smart Beds in Hospitals. Comput Inform Nurs. ;41(6):394-401. doi: 10./CIN..
- Ghersi I, et al. Smart medical beds in patient-care environments of the twenty-first century: a state-of-art survey. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak, ;18, 63. https://doi.org/10./s-018--5
- Nunes T, et al. Deployment and validation of a smart bed architecture for untethered patients with wireless biomonitoring stickers. Med Biol Eng Comput. ;62(12):-. doi: 10./s-024--3.
- Sarra, A, et al. Development of a Smart Hospital Bed Based on Deep Learning to Monitor Patient Conditions. JDR. ;2(2):25-36. DOI: 10./JDR--
- Said AM, et al. Efficient Anomaly Detection for Smart Hospital IoT Systems. Sensors (Basel). ;21(4):. doi: 10./s.
- Kushimoto S, et al. The impact of body temperature abnormalities on the disease severity and outcome in patients with severe sepsis: an analysis from a multicenter, prospective survey of severe sepsis. Crit Care. ; 13;17(6):R271. doi: 10./cc.
- E Karvounis, et al. Smart Beds and Bedding Surfaces for Personalized Patient Care: A Review. 6th South-East Europe Design Automation, Computer Engineering, Computer Networks and Social Media Conference (SEEDA-CECNSM), Preveza, Greece. ; 1-8, doi: 10./SEEDA-CECNSM...
- Hoang ML, et al. Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms for Heartbeat Detection Based on Accelerometric Signals Produced by a Smart Bed. Sensors (Basel). Mar 15;24(6):. doi: 10./s.
- Medical Smart Bed Market Insights, Market Players and Forecast Till . ; Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/medical-smart-bed-market-insights-players-forecast-till-osghe/
Further Reading
Choosing the right hospital bed is essential for ensuring patient comfort, safety, and well-being. With the wide range of options available, including manual, semi-electric, and fully electric beds, as well as various features and accessories, navigating through the choices can be time consuming.
This guide will discuss important considerations such as safety features, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with other medical equipment as well as explore the different types hospital beds, their features, and benefits.
We will cover:
- Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital Bed
- Types of Hospital Beds
For this guide, we have used the term “hospital bed” to describe the beds used for patient care. However, it is important to keep in mind that these beds can, and are, used in a variety of healthcare settings including long term care, mental health facilities, or ambulatory surgical centers.
Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital Bed
To ensure hospital beds meet the needs of both patients and caregivers effectively there are several factors that should be considered.
These include:
Bed Type: Consider whether a manual, semi-electric, or fully electric bed is most suitable for the intended use. Each type offers varying levels of adjustability and ease of use. Selecting the right type of hospital bed based on patient mobility and caregiver preference is important to ensuring the safety of both as well as the comfort of the patient.
Patient Needs: Assess the mobility limitations, medical conditions, and comfort requirements of the facility’s expected patient population. Choose hospital beds that offer the proper support, positioning options, and pressure relief for a wide range of patients and conditions.
Safety Features: Prioritize hospital beds equipped with features such as side rails, brake systems, and emergency controls. These features help prevent patient falls or other injuries.
Ease of Use: Hospital beds should be easy to operate for both patients and caregivers. Look for intuitive control mechanisms, accessible adjustment settings, and user-friendly features that simplify bed positioning, height adjustment, and other functions.
Durability and Quality: Invest in hospital beds constructed to accommodate a range of weight capacities as well as durable materials that can withstand frequent use and cleaning.
Compatibility with Accessories: Evaluate the hospital bed’s compatibility with accessories and equipment such as IV poles, overbed tables, and patient lifts.
Maintenance Requirements: Choose hospital beds with accessible components, removable parts, and easy to clean surfaces to facilitate sanitizing cleaning, maintenance, and service when needed.
Regulatory Compliance: Verify the hospital bed complies with relevant safety standards, regulations, and certifications set by regulatory bodies such as the Joint Commission.
Budget Considerations: Balance cost considerations with the quality and features best suited to the needs of the facility.
Careful consideration of these factors and conducting research to make informed decisions about the types of hospital beds available in the market can contribute to patient comfort, staff and patient safety, and higher levels of care.
Types of Hospital Beds
Hospital beds are available in several types, each offering different levels of adjustability, functionality, and features to accommodate the diverse needs of patients and caregivers.
Common types of hospital beds include:
- Manual Hospital beds: Manual hospital beds use hand cranks or levers to adjust the bed’s height, as well as the head and foot positions. These beds are typically more affordable and suitable for patients who do not require frequent position changes.
- Semi-Electric Hospital Bed: Semi-electric hospital beds feature electric controls for adjusting the bed’s height, while manual mechanisms are used to adjust the position of the head and foot. These beds offer greater convenience and ease of use compared to manual beds but do require some manual adjustment by healthcare professionals.
- Fully Electric Hospital Bed: Fully electric beds offer effortless positioning with electric controls to adjust the height of the bed as well as the head and foot positions. These beds are ideal for patients who require frequent adjustment to safeguard their comfort as well as for easing the physical strain on the medical staff tending to patients.
- Low Hospital Beds: With a lower height profile these hospital beds help reduce the risk of falls or injury to patients with mobility limitations. They are ideal for geriatric or extended care settings where the risk of falls is higher.
- Bariatric Hospital Bed: Bariatric hospital beds are engineered to accommodate higher weight capacities with reinforced frames and wider mattresses to support larger patients safely and comfortably.
- Pediatric Hospital Beds: Tailored to the unique needs of children, pediatric hospital beds feature smaller dimensions, colorful designs, and features adapted for smaller patients. These beds help ensure the safety of the smallest of patients.
- Specialty Hospital Beds: Specialty hospital beds incorporate advanced features such as air mattresses, lateral rotation, Trendelenburg positioning, and pressure relief systems. These beds cater to specific medial needs such as intensive care, critical care, maternity, and wound care.
Understanding the distinct types of hospital beds and their respective feature gives healthcare providers and professionals the knowledge to select beds that best serve the comfort and safety needs of their patient populations as well as the physical wellbeing of the medical staff caring for the patients.
Partnering with equipment distributors with hospital bed expertise is essential to assuring the highest quality bed, equipped with the features you need, for your budget.
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Partner with CME for Hospital Beds
As a nationally recognized medical equipment distributor and the only one focused solely on medical equipment, CME has built relationships with industry leading hospital bed manufacturers in the United States.
Our expert account managers will work with you and the manufacturers’ representatives to ensure that you are purchasing the best hospital beds for your facility, at the best price for your budget.
Complementing CME’s focus on medical equipment are order management, direct-to-site delivery, and biomedical services. We are the only medical equipment distributor nationwide able to say we are truly a one-stop-shop.
Order Management Services
Working with administrators and procurement professionals, our single point of contact order management team can take the some of the stress out of purchasing hospital beds by working with manufacturers to ensure delivery dates are met and any issue that arise are resolved.
Direct-To-Site Logistics and Delivery Services
In addition to delivering medical equipment fully assembled when it is convenient for staff and clients, CME Direct-to-Site services can help take the stress out of large orders by receiving, inspecting and warehousing the order(s) for a single delivery. Our Direct-to-Site teams will deliver assembled hospital beds to their location in the facility and remove all packing debris, so the equipment is ready for immediate use.
Biomedical Services
Biomedical services have been at the heart of CME for over forty-five years. We are the only medical equipment distributor nationwide with an in-house team of biomedical technicians available to perform asset tagging, asset validation, hospital bed check-in, preventative maintenance, and repair.
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