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What Are the Benefits of Functional Beds in a Hospital?

Functional hospital beds often feature electronic controls that can be adjusted for various sitting or sleeping positions. Those positions routinely help patients feel comfortable and enjoy daily activities. This is particularly important for patients with long-term hospital stays or severe illnesses. Comfort, however, is just one aspect of patient treatment. Hospital beds also provide tangible health benefits and safety measures.

  1. Side Rails

    • Adjustable side rails can often be raised and lowered throughout the day to meet a patient's needs. This is crucial for preventing falls and keeping patients in bed if they need assistance. Side rails also provide physical leverage. A person, for example, can grip the rails when leaving or entering the bed to ensure stability. Side rails can further be used for support if a patient sits or leans on the side of the bed.

    Controls to Raise the Head

    • Functional beds often feature controls that allow patients to move their heads for watching television or reading. The head can also be raised for eating purposes. A button on the side of the bed or hand-operated remote allows this movement to the degree desired.

      Head controls offer health benefits as well. Raising a patient's head, for example, may help with acid reflux.

      Elevating the head is also beneficial to those with breathing problems caused by bronchitis, asthma and other conditions. Lying flat may cause a build-up of mucus that becomes trapped in the airways. Raising the head allows patients to expel this with coughing. Raising a patient's head also provides support to the spine, which in turn supports the neck and shoulders.

    Adjustable Leg Settings

    • Patients who must remain in bed for long periods of time may develop circulatory problems. For example, edema is a condition where large amounts of fluid amass in the body. Severe swelling may occur in one or more parts, such as the legs or feet. In addition to swelling, breathing difficulties may ensue in a patient with fluid buildup. Adjustable leg settings, however, can elevate the legs and feet to allow excess fluid to process through the body's circulatory system.

    Adjustable Height

    • Adjustable heights on a functional bed allow patients to easily get in and out if they are weak. The bed can remain at a comfortable height during periods of rest and be lowered if the patient needs to stand. Adjustable heights also help immobile persons transfer to wheelchairs and commodes with less difficulty than normal beds. Patients can additionally slide onto other beds, such as during times of X-rays or chemotherapy treatment, with adjustable heights. This prevents them from having to stand or walk.

    Wheels

    • Many functional beds feature wheels that permit rapid patient transportation. This is particularly ideal in a hospital environment, where patients may need to be transferred to different departments or floors. The patients thus remain safely in bed and hospital staff members can transport with ease.

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