How to Repair Hospital Beds

Hospital beds are single mechanized metal framed beds. They range in dimension from child-size through extra-large that can accommodate patients weighing over 300 pounds. Frames are adjusted by electronic controls to move both vertically and horizontally so that patients get the elevation both at the head and foot ends as needed. Many hospital beds are used year round with one patient admitted almost as soon as the last one has been discharged. All this mechanized movement not only causes stress on the mattresses and frames, but on the electronic parts as well. Biomedical technicians are the experts who service and repair hospital beds, and the ones called to replace worn parts as needed, thus ensuring patient comfort and safety.

Things You'll Need

• Mattress & cover
• Rust remover
• Sander
• Paint
• Air spray
• Frame replacement parts
• Electronic replacement parts
• Lubricant

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove mattresses from beds and inspect them thoroughly. Look for tears on mattress covers and sagging or uneven surfaces that indicate serious wear of the mattress itself. Use upholstery needles or appropriate sewing machine to repair covers. Sanitize if appropriate, or replace worn out mattresses with new ones of the same type, whether spring, foam or gel foam styles. Give new mattresses a fresh cover where applicable.

• 2

  Disassemble the frame to include hand rails, headboards and footboards. Pull off casters, wheels and brakes from each corner of the bed frame. Sand away all rusty areas using an electric sander. Paint metal components with a protective base coat and then with a final coat of paint. Install new forks and replace worn casters and wheels as needed. Replace plastic covers on hand rails with new ones.

• 3

  Remove any electronic parts such as circuit boards and control mechanisms. Blow away dust and dirt from all electronic surfaces using compressed or aerosol air. Replace worn cables, cords and wires. Test electronic components such as switches and buttons that control the mechanized bed movements. Replace electronic components on the circuit boards of older beds as indicated by circuit testing.

• 4

  Reassemble bed frames and associated parts. Lubricate all hinges on frames to include all movable joints. Rotate joints to ensure they glide smoothly and without squeaking. Attach new or cleaned electronic components, switches and wiring. Put on a new or refurbished mattress. Plug the power cord into an outlet and test the functionality of the bed.