What is the difference between electric and manual hospital beds?

The difference between electric and manual hospital beds

When it comes to choosing a hospital bed, healthcare facilities and patients alike have to decide between electric and manual options. Each type has different features that meet different needs. Understanding the differences and the unique benefits of each can help international buyers make informed decisions when purchasing for hospitals, clinics and care facilities.

1. Operating Mechanism Electric Hospital Beds: These beds are powered by electric motors that allow the bed's height, headrest, footrest and other sections to be adjusted at the touch of a button. This mechanism increases comfort for both patient and caregiver.

Manual hospital beds: These beds require manual cranking or lever adjustment to change the position of the bed. While they provide basic functionality, they require more physical effort from the caregiver.

2. Comfort and convenience Electric beds: With the ability to make precise adjustments effortlessly, electric beds offer enhanced comfort for patients who require frequent repositioning. This is particularly beneficial for patients with limited mobility or those recovering from surgery.

Manual beds: While these can also be adjusted for comfort, the process is more labour intensive and may not offer the same level of precision.

3. Caregiver Efficiency Electric Beds: These beds reduce the physical strain on caregivers as adjustments can be made with minimal effort. This is particularly important in high demand environments such as intensive care units or long-term care facilities.

Manual beds: Caregivers must manually operate the bed, which can be physically demanding, especially if frequent adjustments are required.

4. Safety and Accessibility Electric Beds: Equipped with advanced safety features such as side rail controls, emergency stop buttons and remote control, electric beds improve patient safety and reduce the risk of injury.