If you’re new to purchasing hospital beds or you need one for yourself or a loved one, there’s a lot of confusion that surrounds this mysterious item.  But once you know the basics, you’ll be able to purchase your next hospital bed with confidence!

First, here are the bare bones basics:

  • The standard size for a hospital bed mattress is 35 x 80.  Be sure to purchase Twin XL sheets because standard twin sheets won’t fit.
  • If you need extra length, an extension is available on several models.
  • The mattress may or may not be included…be sure to find out when you are ordering.
  • Bed rails may be included or they may be an add-on.  Make sure to ask about them when making your purchase.
  • If you need to buy a mattress, there are lots of choices depending on your needs.  There are standard coil springs, foam and air mattresses.

Okay, so now you need to decide what type of hospital bed you need.  There are 5 types to choose from:

Manual Hospital Bed:

This is a great choice if you’re working on a tight budget and don’t mind extra work.  The extra work comes from  having to manually crank the bed to make any adjustments. So if you want the manual type…be sure that the person who needs to operate the bed is physically capable.

Semi-Electric Hospital Bed:

Again, this is a good choice if your budget is tight.  You can adjust the head and foot of the bed with the push of a button.  And that’s a nice convenience.  But the height is still adjusted by a manual crank so someone still has to crank it up.  The great part is that these beds are typically covered by Medicare for home use.

Electric Hospital Bed:

Now we’re into the Cadillac of hospital beds!  A fully electric hospital bed allows the patient to not only adjust her head and feet with the push of a button, but the height of the bed is just as easily controlled.  The benefit here is that it makes it so much easier for patients to get in and out of the bed on their own.

Used Hospital Bed:

If you have your heart set on an all electric bed and you really have a limited budget…there’s a great option for you: buy used!  Used or refurbished hospital beds are a great way to get what you want and save money, too.

Adjustable Beds:

These beds are designed to “look” more like real beds. They come in twin, full, queen and king sizes to accommodate your preference.

Specialty Hospital Beds:

These are the fancy beds you’ll find in most hospitals. You’ll know them when you see them, too, because the price tag will be pretty hefty.  But if you’re purchasing for a hospital then you just have to bite the bullet!

I know, I know…it’s still hard to decide isn’t it?  I mean, each type of hospital bed has several different manufacturers who then sell several different models of each type.

If you still have questions, your best bet is to talk to a medical equipment expert who can help you decide which type, make and model will be best for you. Whatever you do, don’t spend thousands of dollars on a guess.  Be sure you’re getting the bed you need. Get a a hold of an expert today…call us at 800-330-3591.

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