Understanding the Different Classifications of Medical Beds

Because immobility can be caused by a variety of factors (neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular) each individual may require a specific type of medical bed to help alleviate pain and improve comfort. In addition, financial considerations play a major role in the selection of the ideal bed for an individual. When reviewing the financial aspects of a bed purchase it is important to think long-term and assess the cost, amortized over many years - not just at the time of purchase.  User-friendliness, effectiveness and  functionality, together with the estimated period of usefulness are all important considerations in the selection process.

To prove its effectiveness, the proper medical bed needs to support a total care program and an increased quality of life for the individual and that person’s family. Individuals with a wide range of medical issues including spinal cord injuries causing paraplegia or quadriplegia, pressure ulcers (bedsores), respiratory infections like pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can benefit from the right medical bed intended to help alleviate symptoms and improve their experience.  The same needs are of prime.significance for people living with the challenges of debilitating illnesses including, but not limited to, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) to name just a few.

In this post, we will outline the benefits of, and differences between, many classifications of medical beds as well as their price points and effectiveness.

Gatch Beds

Gatch beds are often used in hospitals, rural medical outposts, and geographic locations that typically experience economic hardships. These standardized beds are known for their durability, reliability, cost effectiveness and ability to be easily positioned. A common Gatch bed features three movable sections, made functional with spring mechanisms to elevate the head, foot, and midsection (knee) as required.

A benefit of the Gatch bed design is its ability to elevate the individual's body, contributing to relief of symptoms caused by respiratory infections like pneumonia or asthma. Easily raising individuals into a sitting position allows fluid to be more easily liberated from the lungs and chest in a comfortable manner.
One of the downsides of the classic Gatch bed design is its lack of  side-to-side adjustability, limiting its ability to alleviate pain and comfort. Further, its manual operation requires the assistance of support/family care or institutionalized staff.

Electric Beds

The next level of classification is the electric medical bed. These are often seen in hospital rooms located in larger, more economically viable care units and hospitals in metropolitan urban centers and large towns. Electric beds serve as a benefit to hospital staff and patients for their convenience and comfort factors. An electric version of the Gatch bed, these beds can be adjusted using three sections.  Tthey are easily moved and easy to adjust thanks to electric switches and remotes.

Like its manually operated cousin, the electric hospital bed provides  comfort for those forced to lay flat due to immobility, injury, or illness. A upside of the addition of power is ease of operation. The remote can be operated by patients as well, provided they have the manual capability.  However, bed users still require frequent assistance from  family members and caregivers.

Low Beds

Low beds are exactly that - medical beds that are low to the ground. Low beds are primarily used for patients and individuals who are at risk of falling from the height of a typical medical bed,  Low beds are also commonly used by Alzheimer’s patients and children in hospital pediatric wings, and are commonly situated anywhere from 240-790mm high, featuring electric adjustability similar to the standard electric hospital bed.

As with electric beds, low beds do require frequent assistance for the users from family members or caregivers.

Air Mattresses

There are two main types of air mattresses used in health care - low air-loss and alternating air pressure:

As the name suggests, low air loss mattresses have tiny holes in the surface that  ‘leak’ air through the fabric with the intention of wicking away moisture build-up and providing a more comfortable overall position by reducing the contact pressure between the mattress and the user. 

Alternating air pressure mattresses have a system of cells, or bladders, that  inflate and deflate providing a timed shift in position with the intent of changing the pressure points on  the user’s body to avoid pressure build-up leading to skin breakdown.

Some air mattresses combine both low air loss and alternating air pressure and do offer some advantage over either style.

While of some benefit to the user they still call for re-positioning that, in turn, means interrupted sleep for the user and family members and/or caregivers plus the high risk of  back injuries to those providing ongoing care.

Fluidized-air Beds

Using a form of fluidized air, these beds evenly distributes the individual’s weight over the surface of the mattress. These  beds help minimize surface pressure and can provide a flow of temperature-controlled air through tiny holes. Like a low air loss bed, Fluidized-air beds provide an ideal healing micro-environment by minimizing the conditions that contribute to tissue breakdown, like pressure, friction, heat, and moisture. They differ from other types of bed in that they maximize and evenly distribute the individual’s weight.

Fluidized air beds provide advanced wound care for individuals with wounds that are complex and difficult to heal and/or manage.. A major downfall of this type of bed system is its dependence on an institutional setting and specialized professional staff. Generally speaking, air-fluidized are only used in medical facilities and are not intended for long-term care situations.

ProBed Medical’s “Freedom Bed”

The Freedom Bed from ProBed is one of the most advanced medical beds available on the market today, It utilizes a three-part lateral rotation platform that quietly, smoothly and safely repositions the user, while sleeping, without the aid of caregivers or professional support personnel. The three-part connected mattress mimics the movement of the underlying platform, ensuring accurate repositioning all night.  The frequent rotation offered by the Freedom Bed virtually eliminates any risk of pressure injuries and pulmonary congestion, leading to pneumonia along with many other challenges of immobility.  The Freedom Bed’s unique air system, located between the platform and the mattress, allows for the user to be positioned with  the upper torso raised and still be automatically repositioned.  This is of major importance to those persons using respirators or with other conditions requiring elevation. To the best of our knowledge the Freedom Bed is the only bed currently available with this important feature.

The Freedom Bed is recognized for many of its positive attributes including, pain relief, lower need for medication, relief from pressure injuries and pneumonia along with the huge benefit of uninterrupted sleep, dignity and quality of life all possible in the home setting.