Low Entry Nursing Care Beds

New regulations for lifting and handling of patients by carers and nurses mean changes to the standard profiling and lifting beds. A conventional electric adjustable bed that is also a height adjustable bed and designed for nursing care generally  has a height of 40cm from the floor to the bed platform. A risk assessment carried out in a care home or nursing home will generally identify a percentage of residents at risk of falling out of these beds. The cot sides that are intended to prevent falls can actually increase the problem. Information from a local county council relating to the use of bed safety rails.     “Bed safety rails should not be prescribed where the bed occupant is likely to

climb over them to get out. This would be seen as restraint as well as increase risk of injury.”

In other words, if the occupant were to wake up confused and disorientated or feel the need to get out of bed, they may panic and try to climb over the cot side.

Their Recommendation,

• Lowering bed height, if bed is adjustable or raised on blocks. Beds

should always be left at lowest setting to reduce risk of injury from falls.

• Putting a crash mat on the floor next to the bed.(consider trip hazard)

Better than this is the use of a low entry nursing care bed. The low entry nursing care bed should generally be used without the bed safety rails or cot sides raised. The Casa Med Classic FS Low http://www.bed-adjustable.co.uk/products/Nursing-Beds-Medical-Care-Mattresses.html is a particularly good looking homely style nursing care bed which looks better with the safety sides in the down position giving the appearance of a conventional bed frame. For a small saving the Casa Med Classic FS Low entry nursing care bed can be supplied without safety rails.

The low entry nursing care beds should also be used in conjunction with a safety mat or crash mat. A risk assessment should always be carried out for the correct safe product application and use.

Safety Mat or Crash Mat

Crash Mat

Casa Med Classic FS Low bed (This is the better one)

High Quality Low Entry Nursing Bed

Casa Med Classic FS Low bed

The new Casa Med Classic FS Low bed has been specifically designed to ensure the bed complies with the medical directive by maximising the safe working height of 63cm and ensuring the lowest possible position of 23cm is achieved. (more…)

If you require an adjustable bed but you also need it to be height adjustable. For adjustable beds where nursing care is required we have discontinued this type of adjustable bed lifting mechanism. http://www.youtube.com/BackcareBeds#p/u/6/mlHT8hipMOA  in favour of  this all in one adjustable bed profiling and lifting mechanism. http://www.bed-adjustable.co.uk/pdfs/specials-4-part-motor-&-profiling-&-lifting.pdf  It is tidier, and safer to use. The adjustable bed will sit at a lower height as a starting point. It will also be more sturdy having a larger footprint than the power lifter. The adjustable bed will be easier to move because it will use our normall castors (With brakes).

The only downside is that it is more expensive and will increase the cost of the adjustable bed. Considering all the benefits, the extra cost is worth paying.

I am a physio working in rehab. I’m wondering what your thoughts are about deflating an alternating air mattress to treat a patient on an adjustable nursing care bed…. How long would a mattress take to reinflate once switched off?
Could you email me as it may be difficult to reach me by phone. Regards. – Customer Details Removed –

Comments

Dear – Customer Details Removed –

I would say that your work will be very difficult with the mattress inflated. so it would be no problem deflating the air mattress. Quickest method rather than switching it off, because the alternating air mattress will stay pressurised for some time. Just disconnect the push fit hoses where they join the pump (Depending on the manufacturer) 

It normally takes about 3 – 5 minutes to reinflate, however there will still be some pressure relief during this time.

Something to check first. Depending on whether it is a full replacement alternating air mattress or an overlay.

The over lay air mattress should be used with an underlay foam mattress approximately 2″ thick. this will be fine for your patient short term.

A full replacement alternating air mattress, should have a foam base section built in. If the mattress has a CPR feature, the air is released very quickly to administer CPR and the patient will be on the built in foam base.

Any further advise please email or call, and maybe give details of the air mattress and your patients conditions. Good luck John