Hospital Beds Buying Guide

How to Choose a Hospital Bed: Complete Buyer's Guide for Care Homes & Home Use

Choosing the right hospital bed (also known as a profiling bed) is crucial for patient comfort, safety, and effective care delivery. Whether you're purchasing for a care home, hospital, or private residence, this comprehensive guide will help you select the most suitable bed for your specific needs and ensure compliance with healthcare standards.

What is a Hospital Bed?

A hospital bed (profiling bed) is an adjustable bed designed specifically for healthcare settings and home care. Unlike standard beds, hospital beds feature electric or manual controls that allow the head, foot, and overall height to be adjusted, providing optimal positioning for patient comfort, pressure relief, and easier care delivery.

Key benefits of hospital beds:

• Improved patient comfort and dignity through adjustable positioning
• Reduced pressure ulcer risk with proper positioning and compatible mattresses
• Easier transfers and care tasks for carers (reduced manual handling injuries)
• Enhanced safety with side rails and low-height positioning
• Support for respiratory conditions, circulation, and digestion through elevation

Types of Hospital Beds Available

Key Factors When Choosing a Hospital Bed

1. Weight Capacity & Patient Size

Always select a bed with weight capacity exceeding the patient's weight by at least 25kg for safety and longevity.

• Standard capacity: 135-175kg (21-27.5 stone)
• Heavy-duty capacity: 175-250kg (27.5-40 stone)
• Bariatric capacity: 250-350kg (40-55 stone)

Consider: Future weight changes, equipment weight (mattresses, rails), and dynamic loading during transfers.

2. Height Adjustment Range

Critical for safe transfers and carer ergonomics.

• Standard range: 40-80cm
• Low profiling range: 20-70cm
• Hi-lo range: 25-85cm

Ideal specifications:

• Minimum height: 20-25cm (fall prevention, easy bed exit)
• Maximum height: 70-80cm (carer working height, reduces back strain)
• Electric height adjustment (essential for care homes)

3. Profiling Sections & Positioning

2-section profiling:

• Backrest and leg elevation only
• Suitable for basic positioning needs
• More affordable option

4-section profiling:

• Independent backrest, thigh, knee, foot adjustment
• Auto-regression prevents sliding
• Superior pressure relief and comfort
• Essential for long-term care

Trendelenburg positioning:

• Entire bed tilts (head down, feet up)
• Used for shock, circulation issues, postural drainage
• Reverse Trendelenburg (head up) aids digestion and breathing

4. Side Rails & Safety Features

Side rail types:

• Full-length rails: Maximum containment, suitable for high-risk patients
• Split rails: Allow mid-bed exit, reduce entrapment risk
• Fold-down rails: Easy access for carers, patient independence
• Mesh rails: Visibility, reduced injury risk

Important safety considerations:

• MHRA guidance: Side rails are restraints and require risk assessment
• Entrapment zones must be minimized (use bumpers/gap fillers)
• Rails should be easy to operate by carers but not patients (if confusion risk)
• Consider alternatives: low beds, crash mats, sensor alarms

Related products: Bed Rail Bumpers with Netting

5. Mattress Compatibility

Hospital beds require specialized mattresses for pressure relief and profiling compatibility.

Mattress platform types:

• Mesh platform: Best airflow, compatible with all mattress types
• Solid platform: Required for some foam mattresses
• Articulating platform: Follows profiling movements precisely

Pressure relief requirements:

• Low risk: Standard foam mattress (10-12cm)
• Medium risk: Pressure-relieving foam (15cm+)
• High risk: Dynamic air mattress with pump
• Very high risk: Alternating pressure or hybrid systems

Shop mattresses: Softform Premier Mattress | Essential Care Mattress

6. Control Systems

Handset controls:

• Wired handsets (more reliable, no batteries)
• Wireless handsets (easier positioning, can be lost)
• Lockout functions (prevent unauthorized adjustment)
• Intuitive button layout with symbols

Carer controls:

• Foot pedals for hands-free height adjustment
• Side panel controls for quick access
• Emergency CPR release (instant flat positioning)

7. Mobility & Castors

Castor specifications:

• Minimum 100mm diameter for smooth movement
• Central locking system (locks all 4 castors simultaneously)
• Directional locks (prevent lateral movement only)
• Brake accessibility for carers

Consider: Floor type (carpet vs hard floors), frequency of repositioning, care home vs fixed home use.

Features for Different Care Settings

Care Homes & Nursing Facilities

Essential features:

• 4-section electric profiling
• Low height capability (20-25cm minimum)
• High weight capacity (175kg+ for versatility)
• Durable, easy-clean surfaces
• Split side rails with anti-entrapment features
• Lockable castors for repositioning
• Nurse call integration compatibility

Recommended: Low profiling beds with full electric adjustment and mesh platforms for maximum resident safety and carer efficiency.

Home Care & Private Use

Essential features:

• Domestic aesthetic (wood finishes, discreet design)
• Appropriate weight capacity for user
• Electric profiling (reduces carer strain)
• Compact footprint for bedroom fit
• Quiet motors (sleep quality)
• Simple controls for family carers

Recommended: 4-section profiling beds with attractive finishes and intuitive controls for family-friendly operation.

Dementia & Confusion Care

Essential features:

• Ultra-low height (20cm minimum)
• Lockout controls (prevent patient adjustment)
• Crash mat compatibility
• Sensor alarm integration
• Minimal entrapment zones
• Calming color schemes

Recommended: Low profiling beds with sensor alarms and crash mats as alternatives to restrictive side rails.

Bariatric Care

Essential features:

• Minimum 250kg weight capacity
• Wider sleeping surface (120cm+)
• Reinforced frame and motors
• Compatible with bariatric hoists
• Extra-wide side rails
• Heavy-duty castors

Cleaning & Infection Control

Proper cleaning prevents infection spread and extends bed lifespan.

Daily cleaning:

• Wipe all touch surfaces with disinfectant wipes
• Clean handset and controls
• Wipe side rails and bed ends
• Check for damage or wear

Weekly deep clean:

• Clean under bed and castors
• Wipe motor housing and mechanisms
• Inspect cables and connections
• Check castor locks and brakes

Between-patient cleaning (care homes):

• Full bed disinfection with hospital-grade cleaner
• Mattress deep clean or replacement
• Inspect all safety features
• Test all functions

Infection control considerations:

• Choose seamless, wipe-clean surfaces
• Avoid fabric components in clinical settings
• Use Clinell Universal Wipes for daily disinfection
• Maintain manufacturer cleaning guidelines

Hospital Bed Accessories

Enhance safety, comfort, and functionality:

• Pressure-relieving mattresses: Essential for ulcer prevention (View mattresses)
• Bed rail bumpers: Prevent entrapment and injury (View bumpers)
• Crash mats: Fall injury prevention for low beds
• Bed tables: Overbed tables for meals and activities
• IV poles: Medication and fluid administration
• Bed levers: Assist patient independence
• Sensor alarms: Alert carers to bed exit attempts
• Mattress covers: Waterproof, breathable protection

Budget Considerations

Price Range	Features	Best For
£500-£1,000	2-section profiling, manual height, basic features	Short-term home use, budget-conscious buyers
£1,000-£2,000	4-section electric profiling, standard height range	Long-term home care, standard care homes
£2,000-£3,500	Low profiling, advanced features, premium build	Care homes, dementia care, fall prevention
£3,500-£5,000+	Bariatric, specialist features, premium durability	Bariatric care, complex medical needs, high-spec facilities

Total cost of ownership considerations:

• Mattress: £200-£2,000 (depending on pressure relief needs)
• Side rails: £150-£400 (if not included)
• Accessories: £100-£500 (bumpers, tables, etc.)
• Maintenance: £50-£150 annually (servicing, parts)
• Lifespan: 7-10 years typical (care home use), 10-15 years (home use)

Funding options:

• NHS Continuing Healthcare (full funding for eligible patients)
• Local authority funding (means-tested)
• Disabled Facilities Grant (home adaptations up to £30,000)
• Charity grants (various organizations support equipment costs)
• VAT relief (0% VAT for disabled/elderly users)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a hospital bed and a profiling bed?

They're the same thing. "Profiling bed" is the preferred term in care settings as it's less clinical and more dignified. Both refer to adjustable beds with electric or manual controls for positioning.

Do I need a special mattress for a hospital bed?

Yes. Standard domestic mattresses don't articulate with profiling movements and don't provide adequate pressure relief. Always use a mattress designed for profiling beds, matched to the patient's pressure ulcer risk level.

Are side rails safe?

Side rails are considered restraints under MHRA guidance and require individual risk assessment. They can prevent falls but also pose entrapment risks. Consider alternatives like low beds, crash mats, and sensor alarms, especially for dementia care.

How low should a bed go for fall prevention?

Ideally 20-25cm from floor to mattress top. This allows patients to place feet on floor when seated, reducing fall distance to minimal injury risk. Combine with crash mats for maximum safety.

Can hospital beds be used at home?

Absolutely. Modern profiling beds are designed with domestic aesthetics (wood finishes, compact designs) and are ideal for home care. They significantly reduce carer strain and improve patient comfort and independence.

What weight capacity do I need?

Choose a bed rated at least 25kg above the patient's current weight. For care homes, 175kg+ capacity provides versatility across residents. Bariatric beds (250kg+) are essential for patients over 27.5 stone.

Are hospital beds VAT exempt?

Yes, when purchased for disabled or chronically sick individuals. Select "VAT Relief" at checkout to receive 0% VAT pricing.

How often should hospital beds be serviced?

Annual servicing is recommended for care homes (LOLER and PUWER compliance). Home use beds should be inspected annually and serviced every 2-3 years or as per manufacturer guidelines.

Next Steps: Shop Hospital Beds at Next Day Care Supplies

Browse our complete range of hospital beds and profiling beds with free next-day delivery on orders over £75.

Need expert advice? Our team helps care homes and families choose the right equipment daily. We understand CQC requirements, pressure ulcer prevention, and safe patient handling.

Related products and guides:

• Pressure-Relieving Mattresses
• Bed Rail Safety Bumpers
• Commode Buying Guide
• Pressure Ulcer Prevention Guide (coming soon)

Delivery Information

Order by 4pm for next-day delivery on orders over £75 (UK mainland). We supply direct to care homes, NHS facilities, and private customers.

Installation services available: Professional delivery, assembly, and old bed removal can be arranged. Contact us for quotation.

Trade accounts: Open a trade account for volume pricing, monthly invoicing, and priority support for care home groups.