A hospital bed is a major investment for any simulation lab. That being said, instructors need to know that they can count on their beds to deliver many years of reliable service. This article describes five important considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right hospital bed for your training program. 

Movement & Functional Positions

When hospital beds are used to their full potential, clinicians are better able to care for their patients and protect their own bodies from injury. Students must learn how to utilize all 5 functional positions for patient positioning and care, including High/Low, Fowler’s, Knee, Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg. The Automatic Contour feature raises the head and knees together to help reduce shear injuries that occur when patients slide down in the bed. All sim labs that offer mock codes for students should have beds with CPR levers to quickly lower the head of the bed so chest compressions can be started. 

Other Essential Features

Siderails are one of the most important features of hospital beds but they can cause significant injury to patients when used incorrectly. Split polycarbonate siderails with integrated bed controls should always be used to teach patient positioning and transfers. At the top of the bed, the headboard must be firmly affixed to the bed for safer handling but should be easily removable for chest compressions and intubation. 

New or Reconditioned?

Instructors often want to have the same hospital beds that are used in the hospitals where students will be doing their clinical rotations. The most economical option for healthcare training programs is to purchase reconditioned beds like the Hillrom CareAssist and VersaCare P3200.  These beds undergo an extensive refurbishing process and are thoroughly inspected to ensure that they meet the Original Equipment Manager (OEM) specifications. All reconditioned hospital beds from DiaMedical include a new foam mattress, a sheet set and a one (1) year distributor warranty. As an affordable alternative to reconditioned beds, DiaMedical is proud to offer the Vantage Med Surg Tutor Bed. It is the only new training hospital bed on the market that has been specifically designed to offer all the same features and functionality of a patient ready hospital bed. The Vantage bed also includes a new foam mattress, sheet set and three (3) year manufacturer warranty. 

Suites & Headwalls

To make the ordering process easier for instructors, DiaMedical created Sim Lab Starter Suites for the Vantage Med Surg Tutor Bed as well as the Hillrom CareAssist and VersaCare. These packages include a classic bedside cabinet and over bed table in a variety of finishes to complement any sim lab design. The Vantage bed is also available with an integrated 36” headwall. The headwall is mounted to the bed frame so that instructors can create a patient care area anywhere in the sim lab. A silent external air compressor is used to provide suction, medical air and simulated oxygen for realistic training scenarios.  

Preventative Medicine

Just like all medical equipment, hospital beds require regular maintenance so that they can provide years of reliable service. Any grinding noises, electrical problems and bed frame issues should be addressed straightaway to prevent injuries to students or instructors. The DiaMedical National Service Network offers annual preventative maintenance solutions to keep all types of hospital beds in good working order. Certified technicians conduct careful on-site electrical and mechanical inspections to identify any existing or potential problems with the bed. Multi-year service agreements are available when beds are purchased or at any time afterward. 

Final Thoughts

The right hospital bed is an essential component of any simulation lab. However, a wide variety of new and reconditioned beds with a variety of features are available. It can be difficult to decide which bed is best suited for your sim lab. The DiaMedical team is ready to help schools balance cost and functionality in order to find the right bed to meet the learning needs of their students. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com.