Hospital beds are specialized pieces of equipment designed to enhance patient comfort and support caregiver tasks through adjustable features. Correct operation is fundamental for ensuring patient safety, optimizing recovery positions, and maintaining the physical well-being of the caregiver. These adjustable beds offer precise control over the patient’s posture and the overall height of the mattress platform. Learning the specific controls is the first step toward utilizing the bed’s full potential.
Understanding Your Bed’s Controls
Hospital beds primarily operate using one of two mechanisms: manual cranks or electric controls. Identifying the system is the initial step before attempting adjustments. Electric beds are the most common type, operated by a handheld pendant (wired or wireless remote) or control panels built into the side rails or footboard.
Electric bed controls typically use universal icons, such as arrows, to indicate functions like raising or lowering the head, foot, or entire frame. Some electric models feature a lock-out function, often controlled by a key or button sequence, which prevents accidental changes by the patient. Manual beds use removable hand cranks, usually located at the foot end, which require physical effort. Separate crank mechanisms are dedicated to adjusting the head section, foot section, and overall frame height.
Raising and Lowering Overall Bed Height
The ability to raise and lower the entire bed frame significantly impacts both caregiver ergonomics and patient independence. For caregivers performing tasks like changing linens, bathing, or wound care, the bed should be elevated to a safe working height. This height is generally between waist and elbow level, minimizing the need to bend over and protecting the caregiver from back strain.
To adjust an electric bed’s height, press and hold the designated “Bed Up” or “Bed Down” buttons on the pendant or control panel until the desired elevation is reached. If a lock-out feature is present, ensure the height controls are unlocked first. For a manual bed, the crank dedicated to overall height must be turned slowly and steadily, often requiring many rotations for a significant change.
When the patient is left unattended or preparing to get in or out, the frame must be returned to its lowest possible setting. This low position, typically 16 to 23 inches from the floor to the top of the mattress, minimizes the distance a patient could fall, reducing the risk of injury during transfers or accidental rollovers. For patients using mobility aids, the bed height should allow their feet to rest flat on the floor when sitting on the edge, facilitating a safe transition to standing or a wheelchair.
Adjusting the Head and Foot Sections
Adjusting the segmented mattress platform, known as articulation, focuses on patient comfort and medical necessity, distinct from moving the entire frame. The head section, or backrest, can be raised from 0 to 90 degrees. Elevating the head assists patients with eating, reading, or watching television, and is medically important for improving breathing and lung expansion by relieving pressure on the diaphragm.
A common therapeutic position is the Semi-Fowler’s position, which involves raising the head of the bed to an angle between 30 and 45 degrees. This angle is used to promote better circulation, aid digestion, and prevent complications like aspiration. When the backrest is raised, the foot section should often be simultaneously raised slightly to create a “knee break.” This knee elevation prevents the patient from sliding down, reducing skin shear and keeping them comfortably positioned.
Critical Safety and Positioning Guidelines
Operating a hospital bed safely requires adherence to strict guidelines that protect the patient and maintain the equipment. Before any patient transfer or movement into or out of the bed, the caster wheels must be locked securely. This prevents the bed from shifting unexpectedly, which could cause a dangerous fall or injury.
The use of side rails must be carefully managed; they are intended for fall prevention but pose an entrapment risk if not used correctly. Side rails should be raised only when necessary to prevent a fall, and the gaps between the mattress and the rails must be checked to ensure they are too narrow for a patient to get trapped. Additionally, all electrical cords for the controls, motor, and power supply must be kept clear of the bed’s moving parts and out of walking paths to prevent damage or tripping hazards. The final safety action is returning the bed to its lowest height immediately after any caregiving task is complete and whenever the patient is left unattended.