Hospital Beds FAQ
Hospital Beds
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 | Bed Rails Available | Weight Capacity | Weight |
Mattress Available |
Warranty* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Invacare Full-Electric Bed
INV5410IVC |
Full-electric
|
Full-Length
Half-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories)
|
233-241 lbs.***
|
Deluxe Innerspring
or Economy Foam |
5 yrs. limited
|
|
Invacare Semi-Electric Bed
INV5310IVC |
Semi-electric (single crank)
|
Full-Length
Half-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories)
|
228.5-236.5 lbs.
|
Deluxe Innerspring
or Economy Foam |
5 years limited
|
|
Invacare Manual Bed
INV5307IVC |
Manual
(single crank) |
Full-Length Half-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories)
|
Deluxe Innerspring
|
5 years limited
|
|
|
Invacare Full Electric Low Bed
INV5410LOW |
Full-electric
|
Assist Rail
|
450 lbs. (including accessories)
|
233-241 lbs.
|
Deluxe Innerspring
or Economy Foam |
5 years limited
|
|
Invacare Semi-Electric Value Care INVVC5310
|
Semi-electric
|
Full-Length
Half-Length |
450 lbs. (including accessories)
|
228.5-236.5 lbs.
|
Deluxe Innerspring
or Economy Foam |
3 years limited
|
|
Drive Medical Ultra Light Plus DRV15030BVPKGT
|
Semi-Electric
|
Full-Length
|
450 lbs.
|
149 lbs.
|
Therapeutic Support Foam
|
Lifetime on welds; 5 yrs on frame; 1 yr. on other parts
|
|
Drive Medical Semi-Electric Bed DRV15004
|
Semi-Electric
|
Full-Length
Half-Length EZ Assist Rail EZ Assist Pole |
450 lbs.
|
185 lbs.
|
InnerSpring
InnerSpring X-Firm Standard Foam Therapeutic Support Foam |
Lifetime on welds; 5 yrs on frame; 1 yr on other parts
|
*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.
What are the differences between air mattresses?
| Patient Indications | Pressure Range | # of Air Bladders and Cells | Surface Material | Weight Capacity | Alternating Pressure | Warranty* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12 or less Braden Scale
|
9.5-11.9 mmHg
|
800 cells
|
Geo-Matt***
|
350 lbs.
|
Yes
|
18 months
|
|
|
12 or less Braden Scale
|
800 cells
|
Geo-Matt
|
350 lbs.
|
Yes
|
18 months
|
||
|
12 or less Braden Scale
|
800 cells
|
Geo-Matt
|
500 lbs. Full, Queen and King 750 lbs.
|
Yes
|
5 yrs.
|
||
|
12 or less Braden Scale Stage I – IV Pressure Sores |
800
|
Geo-Matt
|
500 lbs.
|
Similar to a low air loss mattress
|
5 yrs.
|
||
|
12 or less Braden Scale
|
Geo-Matt
|
500 lbs.
|
No
|
5 yrs.
|
|||
|
9 or less Braden Scale Stage I-IV Pressure Sores |
800
|
Geo-Matt
|
350 lbs.
|
Yes
|
2 yrs.
|
||
|
Stage I or II ischemic ulcer
|
28.6 – 62.1 average
|
720
|
Polyvinyl
|
Dependent on the mattress
|
No
|
12 month limited
|
|
|
Low risk of developing pressure ulcers
|
185
|
PVC
|
275 lbs.
|
No
|
4 months
|
||
|
Low risk of developing pressure ulcers
|
185
|
Heavy Gauge PVC
|
275 lbs.
|
No
|
6 months
|
||
|
10-70 mmHg
|
20
|
Nylon/TPU
|
750 lbs.
|
1 yr.
|
|||
|
Stage I – Stage IV
|
16
|
Nylon
|
350 lbs.
|
Yes
|
Power Unit 1 yr.; Mattress 6 months.
|
||
|
30-60 mmHg
|
20
|
Nylon/TPU
|
450 lbs.
|
Yes
|
1 yr.
|
||
|
30-60 mmHg
|
20
|
Nylon/TPU
|
450 lbs.
|
No
|
1 yr.
|
*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 articles 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.
What are the differences between bariatric hospital beds?
| Type of Adjustability | Rails Included? | Weight capacity | Weight | Mattress Material | Warranty* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Medical Bariatric Bed 48″ Width DRV153021HR1 |
Full-Electric
|
None
|
4750 lbs.
|
320 lbs.
|
None
|
5 yrs on frame; 1 on other parts
|
| Drive Medical Bariatric Bed 42″ Width DRV153001HR1 |
Full-Electric
|
None
|
4600 lbs.
|
300 lbs.
|
None
|
5 yrs on frame; 1 on other parts
|
| Drive Medical 10″ Med Aire Bariatric 42″ Width DRV14030 |
none
|
none
|
750 lbs.
|
Nylon/TPU
|
1 yr.
|
|
| Drive Medical Bariatric 54″ Width 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
|
| Drive Medical 8″ Med Aire Plus DRV14029 |
none
|
none
|
450 lbs.
|
Nylon/TPU
|
1 yr.
|
|
| Drive Medical 10″ Bariatric 48″ Width DRV14048 |
none
|
none
|
750 lbs.
|
Nylon/TPU
|
1 yr.
|
|
| Drive Medical 10″ Bariatric 54″ Width DRV14054 |
none
|
none
|
750 lbs.
|
Nylon/TPU
|
1 yr.
|
|
| Drive Medical 10″ Bariatric 60″ Width DRV14060 |
none
|
none
|
750 lbs.
|
Nylon/TPU
|
1 yr.
|
*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.
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