Factors to Consider When Choosing Electric Beds
By O'Dowd, Nicole; Occupational Therapy Now,Publication Date: March/April 2002
Review of fully adjustable electric beds. Also referred to as hospital beds, fully adjustable electric beds have three different adjustments: bed height and angle of the head and foot. The review is based on recommendations by the Association pour la santé et la securité du travail in Quebec. Recommendation of an electric bed should be based on the user’s level of independence, type of care received, the user’s medical condition and long-term prognosis, and the bed’s technical specifications. The bed should assist the user to (1) transfer from one surface to another, (2) adopt a comfortable position and change positions, (3) move from a lying to a sitting position, and (4) use its functions for occupations such as dressing, eating or reaching. It should allow a caregiver to adjust its height to his or her optimal working level. Technical specifications discussed, which may vary for each model, are height, width and length of the bed, angle adjustment, the mattress support, the remote control, and the bed’s compatibility with other equipment such as bed tables, mechanical lifts, grab bars and bed rails.
Published by: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (Website:http://www.caot.ca)
Link to text: http://www.otworks.com/otworks_page.asp?pageid=715
