Equipment
Many manufacturers offer beds in bespoke headboard designs
having to bend over when delivering care, potentially putting them at risk of back injury.
l Length extension – check the bed will provide this for taller residents. Most beds have the length extension at the foot end, some new beds like the Empresa have it at both head and foot end to ensure the profiling remains in the centre of the bed for pressure care.
l Width adjustment – does the bed allow for clip-on width adjustment? This can prevent you having to purchase a new bed if a resident requires a wider bed.
l Handling aids – ensure the bed has the handling aids to help resident mobility – options like a handling bar or lifting pole will help make their lives that little bit easier.
l Mattress compatibility – the bed should be compatible with standard mattresses – both static foam mattresses for lower risk residents, and dynamic air mattresses for high-risk residents. Check the bed has a good position for the pump and an option
for running the pump cabling.
l Wall protection – it is all too easy for members of the care team to push the bed against a wall, then accidentally damage your nurse call system or light switches by lifting the bed against them. Most beds have the option for a wall protection bar which spaces the bed out from the wall to prevent this from happening.
Future of nursing beds With the increase of resident dependence, and the number of residents living with dementia, nursing beds are becoming an increasingly important part of providing the best levels of care for residents. Making the right choice of equipment
is as important as ever, for the benefit of both the residents and the carers who will be looking after them. Fortunately, there is now a good repertoire of product options on the market for care providers to choose from. Nursing beds today are able to provide both the aesthetics required to ensure
bedrooms look attractive, as well as the clinical functionality required to care for residents. Do not settle for a compromise!
TCHE
Reference 1 Zaphir G., Lowest heights of floor level beds: fall velocity and impact force analysis and resulting injuries, Vital Living, 2014
https://vital.net.au/sites/default/files/zaphir_ study_2014_-_bed_height_impact.pdf.
Caleb Harvey
Caleb Harvey is care home sales manager at Accora. Caleb has worked in the healthcare industry for 13 years and deals with the majority of premium end new care home buildings, working with design teams and operators to create bespoke design nursing beds with a high level of clinical function to help them provide the best levels of care. He is passionate about the care industry, working hard to engage, consult and support those who are involved with the design and operation of the care homes Accora supply.
Handling aids to help resident mobility 36
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • April 2021
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