What are the differences between hospital beds?
How should I choose a hospital bed?
Air Mattresses
What are the differences between air mattresses?
How should I choose an air mattress?
Bariatric Mattresses
What are the differences between bariatric hospital beds?
How should I choose a bariatric bed?
What are the differences between hospital beds?
| Type of Adjustability | Rails Included? | Weight capacity | Weight | Mattress Material | Warranty* | Price** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invacare Full-Electric Bed Package(INVBED2IVC) Bed Only(INV5410IVC) | Full-electric |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
233-241 lbs.*** |
Cotton felt and urethane foam |
3 yrs. limited |
$854.55 |
| Invacare Semi-Electric Bed Package (INVBED4IVC) Bed Only (INV5310IVC) | Semi-electric (single crank) |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
228.5-236.5 lbs. |
Cotton felt and urethane foam |
3 years limited |
$722.25 |
| Invacare Manual Bed Package (INVBED8IVC) Bed Only (INV5307IVC) | Manual (single crank) |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
Cotton felt and urethane foam |
3 years limited |
$716.85 |
|
| Invacare Full Electric Bed Package w/Half-Length rails (INVBED9IVC) | Full-electric |
Half-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
233-241 lbs. |
Cotton felt and urethane foam |
3 years limited |
$585.90 |
| Invacare Semi-Electric w/Half-Length Rails (INVBED10IVC) | Semi-electric |
Half-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
228.5-236.5 lbs. |
Cotton felt and urethane foam |
3 years limited |
$722.25 |
| Invacare Semi-Electric Bed Package w/ Two Crank (INVBED28IVC) | Semi-electric |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
228.5-236.5 lbs. |
Cotton felt and urethane foam |
3 years limited |
$717.41 |
| Invacare Semi-Electric w/Single Crank (INVBED32IVC) | Semi-electric (single crank) |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
228.5-236.5 lbs. |
Cotton felt and urethane foam |
3 years limited |
$706.05 |
| Invacare Full-Electric Bed Package (INVBED33IVC) | Full-Electric |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories) |
233-241 lbs. |
Cotton felt and urethan foam |
3 years limited |
$843.75 |
| Drive Medical Ultra Light Plus (DRV15030-PKG) | Semi-Electric |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. |
149 lbs. |
Cotton and Urethane foam |
Lifetime on welds; 5 yrs on frame; 1 yr. on other parts |
$540.00 |
| Drive Medical Semi-Electric Bed Package w/ Full Length Rails (DRV15004-PKG) | Semi-Electric |
Full-Length |
450 lbs. |
185 lbs. |
Cotton and Urethane foam |
Lifetime on welds; 5 yrs on frame; 1 yr on other parts |
$540.00 |
*All warranties are through the manufacturer, not Vitality Medical. Consult with the manufacturer for details and restrictions regarding the warranty.
**Prices subject to change.
***Rail weight varies.
How should I choose a hospital bed?
Consider the type of adjustability desired. Full-electric hospital beds can be easier on patients and caretakers, because they require less physical work than a semi-electric. The next consideration should be the length of the rails needed. Choose full-length rails when the user of the bed tends toss and turn and fall out of the hospital bed. Finally, consider the warranty on the bed. If the user of the bed tends to wear out beds quickly, select a bed with a longer warranty.Back to top
What are the differences between air mattresses?
| Patient Indications | Pressure Range | # of Air Bladders and Cells | Surface Material | Weight Capacity | Alternating Pressure | Warranty* | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Airmass Alternating Pressure | Stage I-II, Stage III with other treatment |
20 or 11 depending on model |
Vinyl |
325 lbs. |
Yes |
3 months |
$107.62** |
|
| SpanAmerica Pressure Guard APM | 12 or less Braden Scale |
9.5-11.9 mmHg |
800 cells |
Geo-Matt*** |
350 lbs. |
Yes |
18 months |
$1,431.00 |
| SpanAmerica Pressure Guard APM2 | 12 or less Braden Scale |
800 cells |
Geo-Matt |
350 lbs. |
Yes |
18 months |
$1,845.00 |
|
| SpanAmerica CFT | 12 or less Braden Scale |
800 cells |
Geo-Matt |
500 lbs. Full, Queen and King 750 lbs. |
Yes |
5 yrs. |
$1,233.00 |
|
| SpanAmerica Easy Air | 12 or less Braden Scale Stage I - IV Pressure Sores |
800 |
Geo-Matt |
500 lbs. |
Similar to a low air loss mattress |
5 yrs. |
$4,671.00 |
|
| SpanAmerica PressureGuard Renew | 12 or less Braden Scale |
Geo-Matt |
500 lbs. |
No |
5 yrs. |
$664.20 |
||
| SpanAmerica PressureGuard Turn Select | 9 or less Braden Scale Stage I-IV Pressure Sores |
800 |
Geo-Matt |
350 lbs. |
Yes |
2 yrs. |
$4,671.00 |
|
| Roho Prodigy Overlay | Stage I or II ischemic ulcer |
28.6 - 62.1 average |
720 |
Polyvinyl |
Dependent on the mattress |
No |
12 month limited |
$215.40 |
| Huntleigh 10 Gauge Bubble Pad | Low risk of developing pressure ulcers |
185 |
PVC |
275 lbs. |
No |
4 months |
$28.21 |
|
| Huntleigh Bubble Pad Super Life | Low risk of developing pressure ulcers |
185 |
Heavy Gauge PVC |
275 lbs. |
No |
6 months |
$32.30 |
|
| Drive Medical Med Aire 10" | 10-70 mmHg |
20 |
Nylon/TPU |
750 lbs. |
1 yr. |
$77.00 |
||
| Invacare Alternating Pressure | Stage I - Stage IV |
16 |
Nylon |
350 lbs. |
Yes |
Power Unit 1 yr.; Mattress 6 months. |
$1,748.25 |
|
| Drive Medical Med Aire Plus 8"Alternating Pressure | 30-60 mmHg |
20 |
Nylon/TPU |
450 lbs. |
Yes |
1 yr. |
$1,021.73 |
|
| Drive Medical Med Aire Plus 8" | 30-60 mmHg |
20 |
Nylon/TPU |
450 lbs. |
No |
1 yr. |
$1,643,36 |
*All warranties are through the manufacturer, not Vitality Medical. Consult with the manufacturer for details and restrictions regarding the warranty.
**Prices subject to change.
***Geo-Mat is designed to reduce pressure, shearing, friction, and the build-up of heat and moisture.
How should I choose an air mattress?
The patient indications are the most important thing to look at when comparing mattresses. For a more detailed explanation of the stages of pressure sores, consult our article in the Wound Care section. Note: Always consult your physician or the treating physician before treating pressure sores.It is also important to look at the weight capacity of the mattress. If the user exceeds the manufacturer's recommended weight, the mattress could break and the warranty would be voided. The number of cells may also be a factor when purchasing an air mattress. Smaller people tend to prefer mattresses with smaller, more numerous cells or air bladders, while larger people tend to prefer a smaller number of cells or air bladders.
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What are the differences between bariatric hospital beds?
| Type of Adjustability | Rails Included? | Weight capacity | Weight | Mattress Material | Warranty* | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Medical Bariatric Bed 48" Width (DRV153021HR1) | Full-Electric |
None |
4750 lbs. |
320 lbs. |
None |
5 yrs on frame; 1 on other parts |
$3,286.40 |
| Drive Medical Bariatric Bed 42" Width (DRV153001HR1) | Full-Electric |
None |
4600 lbs. |
300 lbs. |
None |
5 yrs on frame; 1 on other parts |
$2,448.00 |
| Drive Medical 10" Med Aire Bariatric 42" (DRV14030) | none |
none |
750 lbs. |
Nylon/TPU |
1 yr. |
$1,748.25 |
|
| Drive Medical Bariatric 54"(DRV153031HR1) | Full Electric |
none, but available for purchase |
41000 lbs. |
350 lbs. |
none |
Lifetime on welds; 5 yrs. on frame; 1 yr on other parts |
$4,086.40 |
| Drive Medical 8" Med Aire Plus (DRV14029) | none |
none |
450 lbs. |
Nylon/TPU |
1 yr. |
$1,147.50 |
|
| Drive Medical 10" Bariatric 48" (DRV14048) | none |
none |
750 lbs. |
Nylon/TPU |
1 yr. |
$2,029.13 |
|
| Drive Medical 10" Bariatric 54" (DRV14054) | none |
none |
750 lbs. |
Nylon/TPU |
1 yr. |
$2,029.13 |
|
| Drive Medical 10" Bariatric 60" (DRV14060) | none |
none |
750 lbs. |
Nylon/TPU |
1 yr. |
$2,029.13 |
*All warranties are through the manufacturer, not Vitality Medical. Consult with the manufacturer for details and restrictions regarding the warranty.
How should I choose a bariatric bed?
The most important consideration when purchasing a bariatric bed is the weight capacity. Putting weight beyond manufacturer's recommendation will likely break the bed and void the manufacturer's warranty, so it is important to know how much the patient weighs. The second consideration should be the needed length of the bed, therefore it is important to measure the patient's height accurately. The third consideration should be whether the bed needs to be adjustable. If he patient needs an adjustable bed, choose one of Drive Medical's full-electric beds. These bariatric beds can be adjusted with easily without the hassle of a manual crank.Back to top
Sources
Span America Easy Air white paper
Wounds1.com
