Hospital Beds
General Information
| Hospital beds serve a number of purposes and provide functions not available on the conventional home bed. They make it easier and safer for the patient to get into and out of the bed and to transfer to and from wheelchairs or bedside commodes. And, the ability to place the bed at a more functional height and to attach other devices help the caregiver when changing the patient’s position, bathing or feeding the patient, and so forth. |  |
Operation Instructions
As in all home medical equipment, proper adjustment and operation are essential to achieve maximum benefit from the product. The individual who delivers the bed is experienced in setting it up, so be sure you understand its operation before he or she leaves the home.
In order to benefit completely from the use of a hospital bed in the home, both the patient and those providing care should be familiar with all of its basic operations. Hospital beds come in three basic configurations. They are as follows:
1. Manual Multi-Height. These models are completely manual. The handle on the left raises and lowers the upper (head) section, the handle on the right raises and lowers the lower (foot) section, and the center handle raises and lowers the height of the bed in relation to the floor. Turn the handles clockwise to raise and counter-clockwise to lower.
2. Semi-Electric. These beds have both electric and manual functions. They are operated from a control panel with four-labeled function buttons. One pair of buttons operates the upper (head) section, the other pair operates the foot spring section (one button raises and the other lowers). Semi-electric models have a manual system to raise and lower bed height in relation to the floor, as well as a backup manual system.
3. Full Electric. On these models the pendant control has two additional buttons than the semi-electric to adjust the bed height in relation to the floor. A backup manual system is also provided.
First Health Medical Supply provides this product information for your benefit-Your Physician, Nurse, or Therapist can answer any specific questions you may have. Follow the instructions carefully.
Safety Precautions
Be sure the caster locks are applied when getting into or out of the bed. Even with the caster lock on, however, the casters can slide, especially on hard floors, causing the bed to shift. Patients who are physically unstable should not attempt to enter or exit the bed without someone present to help stabilize the bed.
Adhere to the following general instructions as they pertain to your particular use of a hospital bed in the home:
Before elevating the head section, slightly elevate the thighs first by raising the foot section; it will prevent the patient from sliding down in the bed.
Raising and/or lowering the height of the bed in relation to the floor makes it easier and safer for patients using a walker or cane to get into and out of the bed. Set the bed height slightly higher for getting out of the bed and slightly lower for getting back into it.
When helping a patient turn in bed, first lock the caster brakes and lock the side rails in the up position, set the bed height so that you can reach the patient, then stand on the side of the bed the patient will be turning toward. Do not roll the patient away from you.
If you have received instructions from your physician or therapist that differ in any way from the above information, follow those instructions explicitly. If you experience any functional problems with this product, discontinue use and call your First Health Medical Supply office for assistance.