Hospital beds provide numerous adjustable features to support recovery and care. Controlling the height of the mattress platform is essential for ensuring patient safety and facilitating caregiver assistance. Understanding how to operate these controls correctly maximizes the safety benefits of this specialized equipment. Proper height adjustment helps prevent accidental falls and facilitates easier patient movement.
Locating and Operating Bed Controls
Most modern hospital beds are fully electric and use motorized systems for height adjustment. The primary controls are typically found on a hand pendant (a small, wired remote) or on an integrated control panel on the side rail or footboard. To lower the bed, locate the button marked with a downward-pointing arrow or a “Bed Down” label. Holding this button engages the bed’s motors to smoothly bring the frame closer to the floor.
For beds with a caregiver panel, usually on the footboard exterior, height controls may be locked out from the patient’s pendant, requiring caregiver access. If electric controls fail due to a power issue, many models include a manual override mechanism. This involves locating a hand crank near the motor or foot end, inserting it into a designated slot, and turning it counterclockwise to mechanically lower the platform. If electrical controls are unresponsive, ensure the power cord is securely plugged in and the circuit breaker is not tripped.
Ensuring Patient Safety When Unattended
The height of the bed plays a direct role in minimizing injury risk if a patient rolls out or attempts to exit the bed unassisted. When the patient is resting or is left alone, the mattress platform should be set to the lowest practical height possible. This “lowest practical height” minimizes the distance a patient could fall, which significantly reduces the impact force and the potential severity of an injury. Specialized low hospital beds can reach heights of seven inches or less from the floor to the mattress platform, providing maximum fall protection.
This low setting is particularly important for individuals with cognitive impairment or those prone to confusion who may attempt to climb out of bed. While the bed is in its lowest position, side rails can act as a reminder or physical barrier, but they should not be used as the sole restraint. The goal is to reduce the vertical distance so that if a fall does occur, the resulting impact is less likely to cause a fracture or serious harm. Always confirm that the wheels are locked after adjusting the height to prevent the bed from moving unexpectedly.
Adjusting Height for Safe Patient Transfer
Adjusting the bed height is fundamental for safely transferring a patient to or from another surface, such as a wheelchair or commode. To facilitate a safe transfer, the bed height must be set so the patient’s feet rest flat on the floor with their hips positioned slightly higher than their knees when sitting on the edge. This specific alignment helps the patient leverage their body weight for a standing motion and reduces strain on the knees and lower back.
This ideal height often corresponds to approximately 120% of the patient’s lower leg length, measured from the heel to the back of the knee. Before attempting any movement, the bed must be locked securely in place, and the height should be matched to the receiving surface, such as a wheelchair seat. Setting the bed at the correct height minimizes strain on both the patient and the caregiver during the movement, promoting safe transfers. The patient should be positioned close to the transfer side, ready to push off the bed surface to achieve a standing position.