Used Hospital Beds Are Comparatively Inexpensive, But Are They Safe?

If you have someone at home which has grown too old to be able to live without some regular medical treatment, is bedridden, requires a caretaker, or all of what’s mentioned, you might be familiar with a hospital bed. But not many will know that hospital beds are complicated and expensive to purchase brand new, and on top of the costs of treatment, it can quickly become unaffordable to purchase even the most basic manual bed for some.

That is where used hospital beds come in, as they are comparatively cheaper, offer a wider range of options at much more affordable prices, and of course, come with their own problems to boot, most of which are specifically due to them being used. So, is the reduction in price worth the risk that comes with it?

Hospital Beds Aren’t Always Optional

When you have a patient at home, you might not understand the idea of ‘quality of patient care’ as much as a nurse would. This doesn’t mean that we can’t understand it, but rather, we don’t often consider the little things that patients go through, things we often take for granted.

A hospital bed is just one example. A regular bed is already expensive, but why exactly is a hospital bed even more so? Well, these beds can be adjusted in height, and angle, help patients sit up, be easy to move around, and are built for both sturdiness and comfort at a different level than a regular bed. It has a utilitarian design, meaning that everything a hospital bed offers is meant to increase the quality of care for the patient in a way that you simply cannot do in a regular bed, so a hospital bed should never be considered optional or unnecessary.

Of course, this is also why used hospital beds are so important, as they make them affordable for many people who can’t purchase one brand new. You want the best for your loved one, but sometimes the best is simply too expensive.

The Risks of Buying a Used Hospital Bed

With anything that comes pre-owned, there is a risk you are taking, and it is crucial that you know what these risks are because while some may be mundane, others can be potentially life-threatening.

However, the most critical risk you take for a used hospital bed is based on what the previous owner used the bed for. This is not only important, but it can cause a potentially good deal of danger for you and your loved one. Most medical equipment, from hospital beds to every individual scalpel, is not just cleaned but also sterilized, disinfected, and sanitized. A syringe is not reusable because it gets exposed to blood and all the bacteria and infections it could bring, but so do hospital beds and other medical equipment.

Cross-infections occurring due to infected skin particles, blood, and even urine can occur and is a common problem in care homes and hospitals.

It might cost you but do consider full sterilization and cleaning of the hospital bed. Before you set it up in your home. It might not just save your loved one’s life but also save you from even more treatments and additional medical costs. 

Keep Your Hospital Bed Clean – Maintenance Tips for Both Manual and Electric Beds

Even if you buy used hospital beds in almost brand-new condition, maintaining them isn’t optional either. Just like at a hospital, cleanliness isn’t just a virtue; it is a critical necessity in patient care. That means you have to be on top of maintaining the hospital bed, which can be quite a task. We can at least help you by putting it all in a tidy list for you to consider.

• When cleaning the hospital bed, do not use soaps or strong detergents. Use warm water and a soft, moistened cloth. Hospitals also use neutral detergents and chemical disinfectants after it. You can use the same strategy.
• Do not leave a cleaned hospital bed to dry. 
• Thoroughly examine both the mattress and any sheets you have for damage, stains, marks, etc. Even if none exist, that doesn’t mean nothing’s there, but a visual sign is a good indication. That you should immediately contact professionals. 
• Always keep the mattress covered. Rips and cracks can damage the mattress and potentially endanger the patient as well.
• Hospital beds have moving parts, bolts, screws, supports, bumpers, cranks, locks, and more. Keep them clean, oiled, and well-maintained if necessary.
• Electrical hospital beds have cables. Consider replacing any cable which is showing signs of wear and tear.
• Regularly checking for current leakage or ensuring that all of an electrical bed’s. Functions are working as intended is also necessary.

Conclusion

Not only do you have a patient occupying it. Or in the case of an electric hospital bed, have any sort of unfortunate accident. That doesn’t mean electric beds are risky, but that they simply pose more risk than the manual ones do—though. They do provide some relief to nurses and caretakers, which is another topic in of itself.