Equipment The table (right) shows the most
suitable situation for each of the four main types of bed.
Bed widths In recent years, manufacturers have been offering more width options in their ranges, giving care providers greater choice when selecting their beds. The three main mattress platform width options are 90cm – 3ft, 105cm – 3ft 6in, and 120cm – 4ft. One of the key benefits with choosing
a wider bed is that for residents who are typically used to sleeping in double bed, this is closer to this width of bed. A resident is arguably more likely to suffer a bed fall from the narrower 90cm width frame as the bed is much narrower than a double bed. The additional benefit of a wider bed is
it makes a spacious bedroom look more premium to help attract privately funded residents. The typical size of a wider bed is
105cm (3ft 6in), although more recently manufacturers are offering 120cm (4ft) beds. One consideration in choosing a wider bed is that if the bed is too wide, it can cause problems for the care team when reaching over to deliver care The 105cm width seems to be a good balance between providing a wider bed for the resident and not going too wide for the care team providing personal care.
Regression backrest and legrest Another technology that is coming more widely available is the option of having regression on the backrest, and in some instances also the legrest section of the bed. These are generally known as single- regression (backrest only) and double regression (backrest and legrest). The reason for the technology is to help
reduce the risk of dangerous pressure sores. These are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the skin.
General nursing beds Where very low risk of falling Low beds
Floor beds Bed for all
Where low to medium risk of falling Where risk of falling can be effectively managed using other interventions
Where medium to high risk of falling Where bed rails entrapment risk needs to be avoided Where crash mat trip hazard needs to be avoided
Covers all above requirements Where to use each bed type
This is done by a mechanism which causes the backrest and the legrest to move away from each other when they are profiled, increasing the space around the sacral region, and reducing the amount of pressure in this area. The team at Accora recently carried out
a study to validate the double regression system on a bed. For this study, we used the Empresa bed with double regression, and a bed with no auto-regression. The results are as follows. l 23 per cent reduction in average pressure in sacral area.
l 22 per cent reduction in average pressure over whole mattress.
l 100 per cent of tests showed reduction in average pressure in sacral area.
l 100 per cent of tests showed reduction in average pressure over the whole mattress.
l 80 per cent of tests showed a lower maximum pressure in the sacral area.
l 80 per cent of tests showed a lower maximum pressure over the whole mattress.
Design options With the increasing number of premium and ultra-premium care homes being developed, manufacturers are also increasing the number of design options. Most manufacturers now offer beds in a number of wood finishes or upholstered designs. Some also will give you the opportunity
to create your own bespoke head and footboard designs. Here are some of the key considerations when choosing a design: l Budget – the more intricate the design, the higher the price tag.
l Wooden options – ensure the finishes will match with your bedroom design/ furniture choice.
l Upholstered options – check the fabric is appropriate for infection control. Leatherette/vinyl fabrics are easier to wipe down, and many fabric suppliers now offer ranges with anti-microbial properties.
l Durability – consider the long-term durability of the headboard, especially considering the type of residents you expect to care for.
l Compatibility – if you are choosing different bed designs for different purposes in the home, consider if this will cause a problem if the beds need to be swapped between bedrooms to meet changing client needs. Usually, it is best to simplify the range of options to help future-proof the home.
Operational considerations The other area to consider when selecting a bed is the operational flexibility which the beds provide. Ideally, your beds should provide for your varying resident needs, so it is worth checking before you make the investment that they have the flexibility to provide the following. l Bed rails – does the bed have flexibility to upgrade to have bed rails if required?
l Weight capacity – this should be adequate to cover the type of resident you expect to care for. If you have a bariatric resident, would this be high enough or would you have to purchase a new bed?
Regression backrest and legrest April 2021 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
l Maximum height – this is also important to ensure carers are not
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