Hospital Beds and Regular Beds: The Differences Between Them

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1. Introduction
2. Overview of Hospital Beds and Regular Beds
3. Adjustability and Positioning Capabilities
4. Safety and Support Features
5. Caregiver Assistance and Accessibility
6. Mattress Compatibility and Pressure Management
7. Space, Mobility, and Setup Considerations
8. Use in Home Care vs. Long-Term Care Settings
9. Maintenance and General Safety
10. Conclusion

Choosing the right bed for each patient’s needs will help optimize their comfort and safety in their daily care. Understanding the functional differences between standard and hospital beds is essential before purchasing caregiving equipment. There is no one-size-fits-all in home care furniture. Medical needs, patient mobility, and caregiver capability influence bed selection in home and care settings.

People typically use standard beds at home if they don't have a medical need for specialized home care equipment. Most standard bed frames don’t offer the positioning and height adjustments available with hospital beds. Some standard beds are compatible with mobility and transfer aids depending on the frame, mattress, and accessories.

Caregivers who can operate the manual adjustments may choose a manual hospital bed. These beds use hand cranks, rather than a motor, for available adjustments.

Fully electric hospital beds use a remote-controlled motor to adjust the head, foot, and height of the bed frame. This lets patients who can use the controls change their position without a caregiver adjusting the bed.

Semi -electric hospital beds combine features of manual and fully electric beds. The head and foot sections of the bed frame are adjusted electrically, but the height is adjusted manually.

Repositioning support and height adjustment needs vary from patient to patient. Caregiver availability and capabilities greatly influence the best type of bed for each care setting.

Some patients may not require assistance repositioning themselves or getting in and out of bed. In these cases, a regular bed may suffice. Always confirm the patient’s needs with their primary care physician before purchasing any medical equipment.

If the patient is more sedentary and their caregiver has the time and physical ability to crank the bed by hand, they may choose a manual hospital bed. They are sometimes more affordable than fully electric hospital beds.

If the patient requires frequent transfers in and out of bed, an electric hospital bed may be more convenient. The controls make adjusting the bed easier by reducing the manual effort necessary.

Regular beds aren’t typically made with many patient safety features. Caregivers must purchase compatible support or mobility accessories separately if needed.

Some manual hospital beds have built-in retractable side rails. Because they don’t require electricity, manual cranks can be operated during power outages.

Fully electric hospital beds are designed to facilitate frequent patient transfers. They use motors to adjust the bed’s height and angles with ease. This helps caregivers better position the patient during transfers.

Regular beds are usually acceptable for individuals not in need of a caregiver’s assistance when standing up or lying down in bed. If desired, they can be paired with trapeze systems, patient lifts, and transfer aids. However, they do not provide the same level of care assistance as adjustable hospital beds.

Manual hospital beds use cranks to make adjustments depending on the model. In some cases, this may include the height as well as the angle of the patient’s head and legs for easier transfers. However, adjusting these beds requires additional energy from caregivers.

Fully electric hospital beds use controls to adjust the height and angles of the bed for better bedside access during transfers. Many models feature a pendant with simple control buttons, allowing patients to adjust their own positioning without additional assistance.

People with limited mobility who sit or lie in one position for extended periods may have an increased risk of pressure injuries. For this reason, finding the right pressure-redistributing mattress is also important.

Regular beds are designed for conventional mattresses. However, it is critical to measure the specifications before purchasing a mattress to ensure a proper fit.

Hospital beds require mattresses that can bend with the patient as their positioning changes. Most standard innerspring mattresses aren’t designed to bend, but many support surfaces and pressure redistribution mattresses are.

Foam Mattresses

• Multiple layers of various densities
• Some feature wings to reduce the risk of the patient falling out of bed
• Available in different firmness levels

Medical Air Beds

• Some use alternating inflation and deflation cycles to help redistribute pressure
• Some feature firm or max-inflate settings, providing a more stable surface during patient transfers

Overlays

• Also known as mattress toppers
• For use with an underlying mattress
• Made of foam, gel, or air pockets

Home setup considerations should include the patient’s room layout. How big is the bed’s footprint? Is there an easily accessible power outlet for an electric hospital bed? Will there be enough space for patient transfers?

Hospital beds need extra space around them for other medical equipment the patient might need (such as oxygen concentrators, IV poles, or other essentials that may vary by situation). Caregivers should also account for the room required for patient transfers.

On the other hand, regular beds may need additional equipment for patient transfers. Lifts and trapeze bars have large footprints and may not fit in smaller rooms.

Hospital beds, both manual and electric, typically feature lockable casters for easy mobility. Most regular beds have four legs without wheels.

Setting up a regular bed is less involved than setting up a hospital bed. Fully electric hospital beds require access to a power outlet, whereas regular beds or manual hospital beds don’t. Also consider the power requirements a pressure-redistributing mattress may need.

Determining the best bed type depends on the patient’s mobility and transfer needs. Caregivers should also consider their own capability as well as the patient’s care environment.

Regular beds may be more suitable for patients with minimal adjustment or positioning needs. Post-surgical recovery may take a few months, but it doesn't always warrant buying a new hospital bed if the patient plans to return to their old bed afterwards.

Home hospital beds may be appropriate for patients with limited mobility who require frequent assistance with repositioning or transfers. Setting up a hospital bed for a patient in their home can help them feel more comfortable as they continue to receive care.

Care environment safety should be the top priority. Regardless of the bed type, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for setup and use. Be mindful of moving parts and use caution when operating a hospital bed, replacing components, or performing other maintenance tasks. When in doubt, ask a professional for help.

Check compatibility between beds, replacement parts, rails, and accessories before purchasing equipment. Bed rails are not appropriate for every patient and can create entrapment or fall hazards. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and use.

Repositioning needs, transfer frequency, caregiver capability, and expected duration of care are determining factors when selecting a bed. Regular beds suit patients with minimal mobility or repositioning needs. Individuals who require more caregiver assistance with repositioning and mobility may be better served by a hospital bed.

Caregivers can adjust positioning features of a hospital bed. These vary by the model but may include head, foot, and bed-height adjustments.

Fully electric hospital beds are powered by a motor and feature a convenient controller with user-friendly buttons. Manual hospital beds require the caregiver to make adjustments with a manual crank. Standard beds have very minimal, if any, adjustability.

Standard beds are designed for conventional mattresses. Hospital beds require compatible mattresses that can move with the bed frame. Many of these mattresses redistribute pressure to help reduce the risk of developing pressure injuries. Always verify compatibility before purchasing any accessories or replacement parts for either regular or hospital beds.

Consult a medical professional about any questions or concerns regarding a patient’s needs.