The first hospital beds were all manual; the bed was raised and lowered with the help of a mechanical crank. Today, semi-electric beds and full electric beds with a push-button are more common, although entry-level hospital bed rentals are occasionally manual-only.
When choosing a hospital bed rental, think about the physical abilities and comfort of the caregiver. Does he or she have the strength to operate the hand crank on a manual bed? Will the patient need to adjust the bed himself or herself while lying down? How likely is it that a power outage will occur? Generally, semi-electric hospital beds with both electric and manual options offer the best compromise between the two.
Hospital beds are made with a range of height and weight capacities and some may not be suitable for all patients. The typical hospital bed rental is the size of a twin bed and has a maximum patient weight of 325 lbs and a maximum patient height of 6'5".
For heavier patients, you might be looking at a bariatric bed. Bariatric beds are wider and the base is made from strong material such as reinforced steel for maximum support.
Hospital bed mattresses are designed to offer support and even weight distribution to prevent the middle of the mattress from sinking with extended use. Common hospital bed mattresses include foam, latex, and hybrid, with specialty medical mattresses available.
While hospital beds are always covered in a waterproof material for easy cleaning, it's essential that a rental company thoroughly disinfect every rental hospital bed—together with its handset—before delivery. Pathogens like MRSA can live for weeks on surfaces and infect the next person who uses the bed.
Patients who are recovering at home from an illness, injury, or surgery will typically spend a lot of their time in bed, which is why it's important to think about accessories. Some rental companies might include these accessories in the rental cost. Other companies might rent or sell accessories separately.
At a minimum, most patients will need an over-bed table for eating and drinking in bed. A trapeze bar can also be helpful for independent maneuvering if the patient still has full use of his or her upper body.
While it's not part of hospital bed rental, patient lift rental might be an advantage if the person using the bed will transfer to a mobility scooter or power chair. Last but not least, you're going to need at least two sets of sheets that match the dimensions of the mattress.
Aside from accessories, you'll need to factor in delivery fees. These fees aren't usually included in the rental price because they vary depending on your location. Be sure to ask about delivery fees and approximate delivery times when you inquire about hospital bed rental.
A note about self-transportation: Some providers might allow you to pick up a rental hospital bed from their showroom and take it home yourself. However, if there's a chance you might injure yourself or you don't have a suitable vehicle for transporting something as large and heavy as a bed, it's better to have the bed delivered. When your hospital bed rental arrives, the technicians will make sure the bed is set up correctly and can show you how to use the controls.
Hospital bed rental makes a lot of sense if you'll only need the bed for a few weeks. However, if you will need the bed for more than 20 weeks or even permanently, it's more cost-effective to buy.
Some durable medical equipment suppliers will credit back part of your rental toward the purchase of a hospital bed. That way, you can rent a hospital bed for a low up-front cost—giving you time to save up to purchase the bed.
Whether you choose to buy or rent a hospital bed, you will find that this piece of medical equipment offers a multitude of benefits for someone who needs to rest in bed for an extended period of time. In particular, hospital beds help with postural comfort and ergonomic access for caregivers.
During the patient's time of bed rest, remember that exercises for bedridden patients are essential for promoting circulation and muscle strength. As the patient recovers, he or she might also be able to start getting around independently with the help of mobility aids for walking.
Above all, choose a hospital bed rental from a reputable company that has positive third-party reviews. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones are in your hands.
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