Hospital beds have a rich history. Before there were adjustable beds, patients lay on a flat board. The first attempt to change the flat board was to add a pillow. But even then, a few problems arose. First, pillows shift and fall. Second, a person lying in a bed cannot always elevate their torso or legs. Third, pillows do not provide enough support to prevent a patient from sliding. Fourth, a person trying to sleep while sitting in bed will find it very uncomfortable. Fifth, if a person tries to eat or drink while reclined, they will find the process quite awkward. Sixth, a flat board provides little to no relief from pressure on a person’s back and hips. Seventh, using flat boards as beds increases the likelihood of skin breakage. Lastly, a person lying on a flat board cannot lie comfortably; instead, they have to lie as the bed dictates.

 

The first breakthrough in the development of adjustable beds occurred in 1909

At that time, Dr. Willis Gatch developed a bed with three adjustable sections. The top section provided support for the head and upper body. The second section provided support for the midsection. The bottom section provided support for the legs and feet. Using hand cranks attached to the bed, a nurse or caregiver could adjust the levels of these different sections of the bed. This allowed patients to rest in comfortable positions based on the body’s anatomical position. While providing greater comfort, this type of bed also made other aspects of patient care easier. For example, patients could eat in bed without having to prop themselves up with pillows. Also, nurses and family members were able to provide care for patients in ways that were previously impossible due to the lack of suitable equipment. Even though we currently utilize more advanced beds.

 

The principles of Dr. Gatch

Most adjustable care beds still follow the three-section principle. Another important development in the creation of adjustable beds occurred in 1947. At that time, Howard Hughes, a pilot who suffered serious injuries (he broke two vertebrae) while flying an experimental aircraft, was looking for a new bed for his recovery room. Mr. Hughes had been frustrated with the availability of high-quality beds that he felt met his needs as a patient. He brought together engineers from Hughes Aircraft Company to build him an advanced bed that could be controlled electronically and with great precision. The bed had thirty electric motors and push buttons that enabled Mr. Hughes to make extremely small movements in either direction. Mr. Hughes’ bed was significantly more functional than any hospital bed available at the time. It demonstrated how a combination of engineering and innovative thinking can produce products that greatly enhance the quality of life for individuals requiring ongoing medical care. Additionally, Mr. Hughes’ experiences served as a source of motivation for future innovators to develop additional solutions for hospital beds.

 

Modern hospital beds

Medical beds are equipped with various features, including, but not limited to, multiple adjustable segments (head/foot), electric controls, height adjustment, side rails and pressure-relieving mattresses. These features enable users to manage their daily activities safely and comfortably. For example, elevating the head of a bed enables a person to eat comfortably or read or watch TV. Elevating the bed’s legs may promote circulation and relieve swelling. Height adjustment of a bed promotes safe transfer for both users and caregivers.

For instance, a surgical patient typically requires frequent changes in position throughout the day. Unfortunately, a traditional non-adjustable bed hinders such movement due to its rigidity and inability to accommodate changes in patient posture. However, an adjustable bed accommodates smooth changes in position, thereby reducing strain on both the user and caregiver.

Therefore, many families begin searching for “hospital bed rentals near me” when planning home-based care following a hospital discharge.

While buying is usually the preferred method of acquiring a hospital bed, renting is also a viable option depending on your specific needs. For example, you may be considering renting a hospital bed for short-term recovery, post-operative care, hospice care, rehabilitation or temporarily restricted mobility.

Renting offers numerous advantages over purchasing, such as lower upfront costs and access to high-quality equipment for shorter periods without long-term commitments. Rentals allow families to determine which type of equipment best suits their needs, rather than guessing months in advance.

One common question about rentals is the price of hospital bed rentals. Hospital bed rental prices vary depending on the type of bed (manual/electric), the number of features offered (pressure-relieving mattress/side rails), whether a mattress is supplied with the bed, etc. Generally speaking, the best value is achieved by selecting a bed that matches your patient’s true level of mobility and/or care needs.

 

A History of Dignity in Recovery

The evolution of hospital beds reflects an effort to enhance the dignity associated with recovery. Historically, hospital beds evolved from flat wooden boards to adjustable frames and, eventually, to sophisticated electronic systems capable of supporting various patient positioning requirements.

Each stage represented advancements in creating supportive environments for patients that enhanced their ability to recover safely and more comfortably.

Home-based care beds represent evolutionary steps taken toward creating beds that support patients resting in positions conducive to recovery and promote ease of caregiving.

As families plan for home-based care, consider the following: a hospital bed is not simply a piece of furniture but an essential tool that can facilitate comfort, safety, and successful recovery for all parties involved.