A nursing care bed is a bed that is adapted to the physical needs of people with severe chronic illnesses or physical disabilities. Nursing beds are subject to strict regulatory requirements. Their use takes place in both home and inpatient care and serves not only the patient but also the nursing staff.
What is a nursing bed
Originally, the concept for nursing beds was inspired by technical innovations in hospital beds. Today, nursing beds are used in a variety of ways for people in need of care in home and inpatient care. Originally, the concept for care beds was inspired by technical innovations in hospital beds. Over time, the realization grew that healthy lying increases resistance to existing illness and leads to faster recovery. As a result, beds were first developed for hospitals that met the needs of patients for comfortable and pain-free lying. As a result of the positive experience gained, more and more technical innovations were introduced that helped to speed up the healing process. However, patients who were permanently bedridden also benefited from the developments. For example, the possibility of constant changes in position made it easier to prevent pressure ulcers. The electrical adjustability of the beds enabled patients to change their position themselves if necessary, thus relieving the strain on their bones and muscles. The innovations in hospitals were adopted by other inpatient facilities such as nursing homes and homes for the elderly. Nursing beds have also proved very useful in home care. Today, nursing beds have the same functions as hospital beds. They also allow patients with chronic diseases to be treated more frequently in the home environment. Sometimes the care bed is colloquially called a senior bed. However, in the bed trade, this is just a normal bed with a raised lying surface.
Shapes, types and types
Basically, a nursing bed consists of a basic frame with a bed frame and an adjustable slatted frame for setting several position options. At the same time, the lying surface must be adjustable to a minimum height of 65 centimeters. Furthermore, the equipment includes firmly adjustable castors, which must have a diameter of at least 10 centimeters. The mattress is not subject to any special regulations. Here, the habits of the patient play a major role. Special equipment is also available for the nursing bed, depending on requirements. These include an uprighting aid (bed gallows), angle adjustability of the lying surface for medically appropriate positioning, a side rail, fusion holders, footrests and, if necessary, fixation devices for restless patients. In addition, there are other designs of the nursing bed. They basically have all the necessary basic functions with additional functions determined by the design. For example, the so-called get-up bed offers patients electromotive support when getting up. In the case of prolonged bed confinement, it serves to stimulate respiratory function and bowel and bladder activity. Furthermore, there are insert frames that replace the conventional bed frame of a nursing bed and can thus integrate the bed into the design of the room. For hospital beds, in addition to the basic requirements for a nursing bed, there are special requirements for hygiene, stability, durability and intensive care. Furthermore, there are side bedding beds, which have a lying surface divided into longitudinal segments. Lateral repositioning can provide good protection against pressure ulcers. A special variant is the standing bed. In addition to all the functions of a nursing bed, a paralyzed patient has the option of being placed in the standing position in a fixed state. This stimulates circulation, respiratory activity, and bladder and bowel activity.
Structure and mode of operation
The nursing bed supports the bedridden patient in performing important bodily functions. At the same time, however, it also supports the caregiver in their daily work. The long-term goal is to ensure a higher quality of life for the patient and to achieve improvements in the daily management of the living situation. For example, the angle-adjustable back section means that a reasonably stable semi-sitting position can be achieved even without additional cushions.This simplifies feeding and supports pain-relieving therapies. The division of the lying surface opens up further therapeutic positioning options. The adjusted angle stabilizes the positioning. The lying surface is not adjusted by unconscious movements. The work of the caregiver has been ergonomically improved by raising the lying surface. Furthermore, the lying surface can be lowered to facilitate getting into bed. In recent years, the safety standards of the beds have been increased. After several short circuits caused by moisture and resulting fires, the requirements for moisture protection have grown. For example, today all healthcare beds must comply with the EN 60601-2-52 standard for hospital beds. It is an international standard that ensures basic safety and all performance characteristics of adult medical beds. In recent years, two developments in particular have been made with regard to care beds. The technical equipment for handling the control system and the design are subject to constant improvements. Design development is aimed at making the visible differences between a normal bed and a care bed unrecognizable. Furthermore, the aim is to achieve quick assemblability and disassemblability by simplifying the equipment, thus reducing costs.
Medical and health benefits
Nursing home beds have a great medical benefit for the patients. At the same time, they also serve to facilitate the care situation. The nursing bed should guarantee the patient a restful lying and sleeping. Furthermore, it ensures the comfortable positioning of the patient, which is adapted to his body shape, weight and clinical picture. It enables special forms of positioning and movement to relieve the patient. It also makes it easier for nursing staff to perform tasks such as serving meals or washing the body. Furthermore, the nursing bed makes it possible to realize the special requirements for hygiene in nursing care.
