Selecting a hospital bed rental for home use in Canada may appear a difficult task, nevertheless, it is crucial to select a hospital bed that will provide for the comfort and protection of the sick person or a patient who has undergone surgery, or had a chronic illness or required long-term care. Hospital beds provide unique support and it is imperative to understand some key factors before purchasing them such as, the condition of the patient, type of hospital bed, type of mattress and the cost. The following information is designed to assist you in making the right decision so you can get the right hospital bed for your home.
1. Evaluating the Patient’s Needs: The initial consideration involved in selecting a hospital bed is the ability of the patient to evaluate their requirements. This includes their ability to move from one place to another, their health complications, or illnesses and how long they have been using the walking aid.
• Medical Condition: Depending on the details of a patient’s ailment or medical condition, these features must be incorporated in the bed. For example, patients who are discharged after surgery may require a bed with head and leg position control, or patients with breathing problems may require beds with the head up control.
• Mobility: For patients with restricted movement, an electric or semi-electric hospital bed is preferred because it is operable. Mobile patients may prefer a manual bed as this involves the use of muscle strength to shift it into the desired position.
• Long-Term vs. Short-Term Use: The medical team should determine if the patient would require the bed for a short recovery or for a long-term ailment. Hence, it might be cheaper to rent a hospital bed in for a specific period rather than buying one when planning for long-term care.
2. Types of Hospital Beds: Hospital beds being a category have different forms each with certain characteristics. Being aware of these options will assist in selecting the best bed with regard to the patient’s requirements.
• Manual Hospital Beds: These are the simplest style of hospital beds and are the only ones that are not motorised; their adjustment is with the help of a handle or crank. While they are more affordable, they require physical effort to make adjustments, making them less convenient for caregivers and patients who need frequent repositioning.
- Semi-Electric Hospital Beds: Semi-electric beds are those that come with controls to move the head and the foot sections electrically, but the height has to be raised or lowered manually. These beds are comfortable and easily movable; that makes them ideal for home use and easy to acquire.
• Fully Electric Hospital Beds: The fully electric option is the most convenient because all operations (head, foot, and height adjustment) are done from a remote control. These beds are particularly suitable for patients who require frequent repositioning or caregivers who want easy to manage beds.
• Bariatric Hospital Beds: Bariatric beds on the other hand are facilities that have been designed to support the patients who have more weight. These beds are also wider and have a greater limit for weight which makes them safer and more comfortable for people with more weight.
Mattress Considerations:Choosing the appropriate mattress is very important, especially for a patient, to avoid things like pressure ulcers or back aches. The best hospital bed mattress come in different materials and are specialised for use in hospital beds.
• Innerspring Mattresses:Innerspring also resembles conventional mattresses and provides rigid support, which is suitable to individuals who do not have such specific issues as pressure requiring mattress.
• Foam Mattresses:A foam mattress has less pressure on the body than an innerspring mattress and should be recommended for bedridden patients. High density mattresses also provide extra support and are more long lasting than other mattress types.
• Alternating Pressure Mattresses: These mattresses help to avoid pressure ulcers, as pressure points are constantly adjusted due to the action of separate air cells. They are used for patients who are believed to develop bedsores.
• Gel Mattresses:Gel mattresses control temperature, maintain an ideal body temperature for the patient, and provide pressure relief. They are very useful to people who find themselves feeling hot while they are in bed.
Conclusion: Purchasing a hospital bed in Canada depends on the medical profile of the patient, specific types of hospital beds, available mattress, safety measures, and the cost of the bed. With the consideration of the aforementioned factors and involving healthcare practitioners, it is possible to create a favorable environment for the patient to get well.
