Beds are an essential piece of equipment that offer night-time and day-time comfort, whether in a hospital, hospice or home setting. Finding the right bed is therefore crucial for providing the level of support that an individual needs to maintain a sense of wellbeing. A bariatric bed, for example, has different qualities to a standard hospital bed, because it is designed to accommodate bariatric people. In this article we look at how bariatric beds differ from hospital beds and how to decide which is right for your needs.

 

What are bariatric beds?

Bariatric beds are beds that are specially designed to accommodate bariatric people. These beds are engineered to handle higher weight capacities and provide enhanced comfort and safety for patients.

Key features of bariatric beds

1. Weight capacity: A bariatric bed, such as the Nexus Pro Bario, is built to support substantial weight, typically up to 42 stone or higher. This crucial feature ensures the bed’s structural integrity and eliminates the risk of collapse or failure. 
2. Wider and longer dimensions: they are wider and longer than standard hospital beds. They offer more space to accommodate larger body sizes comfortably. The extra width and length minimise the risk of pressure sores, provide freedom of movement, and ensure a more restful sleep. The Nexus Pro Bario is 120cm x 200cm (a standard double bed is 140cm x 200cm), and is also available in a longer 140cm x 220cm version. A smaller bed is the HMS Vilgo at 110cm x 200xcm.
3. Reinforced construction: they are constructed using robust materials such as reinforced powder-coated steel frames. The bed frames are engineered to withstand heavy loads and maintain stability even during patient repositioning or movement.
4. Adjustable height: equipped with adjustable height mechanisms, they allow healthcare providers to position the bed at the most convenient and ergonomic height for patient care. This feature ensures ease of access during caregiving tasks and minimises the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for healthcare professionals. The Nexus Pro Bario is the lowest profiling bariatric bed available, and comes with an adjustable height range of 20cm-60cm. Both the Nexus Pro Bario and the HMS Vilgo have electrically adjustable height mechanisms. 
5. Enhanced safety features: Bariatric beds are designed with various features to ensure patient wellbeing. These include side rails to prevent accidental falls, locking mechanisms to secure the bed in place, and anti-entrapment systems to prevent limbs from getting caught between the bed and its moving parts. The Nexus Pro Bario also features an anti-tilt system for enhanced stability and comfort.

 

How do hospital beds differ from bariatric beds?

1. Reduced weight capacity: standard hospital beds typically have weight capacities ranging from 20-35 stone, significantly lower than those of bariatric beds. Hospital beds are designed to accommodate average-sized patients, whereas bariatric beds are intended for individuals with higher weight requirements.
2. Standard size and dimensions: a typical hospital bed has standard dimensions that may not adequately accommodate bariatric individuals comfortably or safely. Premiere Healthcare does, however, offer wider than standard beds for service users who are large but not in the bariatric size.
3. Lighter construction: bariatric beds feature reinforced frames and support structures to handle the increased weight and provide stability. Hospital beds are generally lighter and less robust since they are designed for patients with lower weight requirements.

 

How do I choose a bariatric bed?

When choosing a bariatric bed, of course patient comfort and wellbeing is a top priority. But there are also a number of other practical considerations that you need to think about, and which we discuss in our blog Guide to bariatric beds. As a starting point, here are a couple of key considerations:

1. Dimensions of your room: due to their increased size, bariatric beds will take up a large space in any room. Before you think about buying or hiring a bariatric bed, you need to check that you have the space to accommodate it. This means ensuring that the bed will fit in the room but also that you have enough room all the way around for wheelchair access.
2. Your budget: a bariatric bed is an investment in a patient’s wellbeing, and while at the pricier end of the specialist equipment scale, they can differ in price depending on what features and functions are important to you. Understandably, the more bells and whistles a bariatric bed has, the more it will cost. A fully electric bariatric bed with Tilt-in-Space and other features, could easily cost up to £12,000. On the more affordable end of the scale, a manual bariatric bed can be purchased from £2,500, making it a better fit for smaller budgets, although limiting the positioning options for your patients. Take a look at our blog for more about How to find a bariatric bed to suit your budget. 

Need more advice about choosing a bariatric bed?

If you are still unsure whether you need a bariatric bed or a hospital bed, why not talk to one of our advisers? Our expert team has over 20 years of experience and knowledge dealing with specialist seating and matching patients with the right specialist equipment. They will carry out a specialist equipment assessment and advise you on the right choice of bariatric or hospital bed for your needs.