Hospital Bed Types: How to Choose for Your Ward

A hospital bed is chosen by ward, patient dependency and nursing workload, not by catalogue name. This guide sorts the main types, the specification points that separate them, and which HOSPIcare line suits which use.

The main hospital bed types

A manual bed sets the backrest with a hand crank. It suits low-dependency wards, long-term care, and places where power cannot be relied on.

A two-function bed raises the backrest and bends the knees, and is common in general wards. A three-function bed adds height adjustment, which reduces strain on the nurse's back and makes transfers easier.

An electric multi-function bed powers the backrest, knee break, height and tilt from a hand control or a nurse panel. It suits high-turnover wards and patients with high dependency.

An ICU bed offers a wider range of positions and integrated safety features, often a built-in scale and a quick CPR release. It is intended for critical care.

Which HOSPIcare line suits which use

PRIME care is for the home and for some general wards. It includes manual and electric beds with two or three functions, quiet braked castors and a stainless-steel drip stand, plus bariatric beds rated to 300 kg with a 120 cm sleeping surface.

MEDcare is for hospitals and intensive care. Santron offers advanced clinical positions including cardiac chair and Trendelenburg, with central braking. Santron Pro adds a built-in scale, a digital nurse control panel and a bed-exit alarm. An electric bed with a rechargeable backup battery suits units that need uninterrupted operation.

What to check in a hospital bed specification

Check the safe working load, platform and mattress size, side-rail type and locking, and castor diameter and locking.

Ask about Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg, battery backup, ease of cleaning, mattress compatibility, and warranty and spare-parts availability in your country.

Request current copies of the certificates that apply to the product and the manufacturer, and check the expiry dates.

Questions to ask a hospital bed supplier

Which models are made in-country? How long do spare parts take? Does the offer include installation and training? What are the service-contract terms? Clear answers separate a serious supplier from the rest.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a 2-function and a 3-function hospital bed?

The third function is height adjustment. It reduces strain on the nurse during care and makes it easier to transfer the patient in and out of bed, which matters in wards where transfers are frequent.

When is an electric hospital bed worth it?

When patients are repositioned often during a shift or have high dependency. Electric control saves nursing time and improves patient comfort, while a manual bed remains suitable for low-dependency wards.

How do I choose a hospital bed for intensive care?

Start with the unit's needs: range of clinical positions, built-in scale and quick CPR release. Then check the safe working load, side rails, battery backup and local serviceability.

What documents should a hospital bed supplier provide?

Current certificates for the product and the manufacturer, a specification sheet, warranty terms, and a spare-parts and maintenance plan. Ask for them in writing before contracting.

Related pages

PRIME care beds · MEDcare ICU beds · How to choose a home hospital bed