What Is The Difference Between A Hospital Bed And A Domestic Profiling Bed?
In essence, both a hospital bed and a domestic profiling bed can undertake the same function however, there are a few main differences between the two beds.
A hospital bed will normally have a four-section profiling action. This simply means that it will have the following actions;
- Backrest elevation
- Leg rest elevation
- Height adjustment
- Trendelenburg
Standard hospital beds will have a height adjustment of 40cm-80cm and assist carers and nursing staff to attend to the patient in bed without bending their backs. If a patient is at risk of falling from the bed sometimes a low bed will be specified which will give a height adjustment of 20cm-80cm.
Normally a hospital bed will have side rails which will stop the patient from falling out of the bed.
Mattresses for Care: A hospital bed will normally use either a castellated foam mattress or an alternating air mattress to give maximum comfort to the patient which will be covered in a Vapour Permeable fabric which is a breathable material that can be wiped down.
A hospital bed will normally have lockable castors on all four corners which assists the bed being moved easily should this be required
They also tend to have wooden headboards and footboards for easy wiping.
Domestic profiling beds normally will just have headrest elevation and footrest adjustment. It is possible to have height adjustment on some domestic profiling beds but this is not normally a standard feature.
You wouldn’t normally find side rails on a domestic profiling bed but they can be fitted if they are required. The bed is normally covered in a fabric of your choice to make it look more aesthetically pleasing and to match in with the décor of the room. You will also have more options on the design of the bed and can choose the headboard of your choice.
On a domestic profiling bed, you will normally find foam or pocket sprung mattress which will be around 8”-9” in depth. It is important to make sure you specify the correct mattress which is designed to profile otherwise you will find the mattress won’ bend and you will not get the benefit of the profiling actions on the bed.
Both beds have a very different look about them with the hospital bed looking quite clinical but you will get more functions from a Nursing bed than a domestic profiling bed so it is important to ascertain which is more important to you; the look or the function before making a final decision.
Call us on 01733 555838 to discuss your needs and we will help you make the right choice for you.
