Hospital Beds: From Furniture To Highly Complex Medical Devices

Enabled with therapeutic and even diagnostic technologies, hospital beds have significantly evolved since their introduction in the 1800s. Scientific achievements and advancements in healthcare technology have allowed manufacturers to integrate these sophisticated features into both hospital beds and stretchers. With new functions and capabilities, the demand for these advanced beds has increased, particularly in specialized hospital environments where they enhance safety, comfort, and healthcare outcomes for patients and clinical staff.

A Glimpse into the History of the Hospital Bed

Hospital beds and stretchers, with a history spanning over a century, have become indispensable medical devices in healthcare delivery organizations. The early 1950s marked a turning point, with increased investment in healthcare equipment, especially in medical beds. This era began the transition from predominantly mechanical to computerized hospital beds, driven by manufacturers' and companies' efforts to incorporate new therapeutic, diagnostic, and communication technologies. This period of innovation transformed the hospital bed from mere furniture to a critical piece of medical equipment, necessitating adequately trained hospital bed repair technicians and comprehensive medical equipment management planning. Innovations often aimed to develop hospital beds into versatile, all-in-one devices suitable for a variety of healthcare settings. From 2000 to 2015, global trends embraced smart technologies, revolutionizing hospital bed manufacturing and usage.

Major Highlights Over the Last Five Decades:

• Since the 60s, institutional and residential facilities have seen these devices expand beyond traditional hospital settings.
• The increasing invention and commercialization of dedicated accessories have led to a secondary market for parts and service support.
• Medical equipment regulations now apply to hospital beds as medical devices.
• Hospital beds have been enhanced with technologies such as pressure mattresses, scales, communication systems, advanced safety features, and alarms.
• Connectivity with other medical devices throughout healthcare settings has expanded hospital beds' capabilities.

The Impact of Hospital Bed Innovation on Maintenance Requirements

As hospital beds have evolved beyond their simple beginnings, they have become increasingly vital in patient care, comfort, and safety. Modern beds are no longer just furniture; they are complex diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices, requiring oversight more aligned with healthcare technology departments than the facilities management departments that once managed them. While in-house HTM teams excel at maintaining medical devices, they often struggle with the constant repair needs of hospital bed fleets and recruiting technicians willing to work on these beds. Due to their transition from furniture to medical devices, hospital beds are sometimes misunderstood and neglected. An inadequate maintenance program can be costly, leading to increased rentals, the need for more storage, unavailability for patients, and even impacting patient satisfaction.

More hospitals are turning to external support, such as hospital bed repair companies, which provide skilled technicians capable of handling all models of hospital bed and stretcher maintenance when in-house resources are insufficient.

Benefits of Seeking Specialized Support for Hospital Bed Maintenance Needs

Seeking specialized support for hospital bed maintenance offers numerous benefits. It ensures high reliability and safety of hospital beds, crucial for patient care. Specialists trained in a wide range of makes and models provide unbiased service through a single contract, significantly reducing downtime and enhancing bed availability. This expertise directly impacts patient satisfaction and care quality. Manufacturer-agnostic service providers aim to prolong the product's life, unlike OEMs who might prefer replacement over repair.

Specialized support also offers streamlined service provision, such as localized "hospital bed repair service near me" options, ensuring prompt and efficient solutions. Facilities can access expert knowledge in specific bed models, such as Hill Rom hospital bed repair, guaranteeing more precise repairs. This approach often includes preventive maintenance, reducing the risk of sudden breakdowns and extending the beds' lifespan. Comprehensive solutions covering both hospital beds and stretchers reduce the administrative burden of managing multiple service contracts and vendors.

By adopting a proactive maintenance approach and leveraging expert knowledge, hospitals can avoid high costs associated with emergency repairs, rentals, and patient dissatisfaction due to equipment failure. In summary, specialized support in hospital bed maintenance is a strategic investment for healthcare facilities, leading to improved operational efficiency, patient safety, and financial savings.

About Emeritus

Emeritus is revolutionizing hospital bed maintenance with our unique 'Always Onsite' and 'Power of One' service models. Our Always Onsite approach ensures a dedicated technician is present in your facility, drastically reducing equipment downtime and providing immediate, proactive maintenance. The Power of One model simplifies the maintenance process, offering a single point of contact for all hospital bed and stretcher services, eliminating the hassle of multiple contracts and vendors. At Emeritus, we combine simplicity, efficiency, and expert care to enhance hospital operations and patient satisfaction, making us more than just a service provider – we're your healthcare partner.