Bariatric beds should meet the needs of patients while promoting a good night’s sleep.
For a bariatric patient, the benefits of good night-time positioning
are immeasurable. Since many bariatric clients have respiratory
problems, being positioned well at night allows them to breathe better,
says Len Feldman, owner of Big Boyz, who offers his clients
approximately eight different bariatric beds.
Bariatric beds should be safe and have the ability to handle the weight of a bariatric person.
At Gendron, beds are weight categorized from 600 to 1,000 lbs., says Steve Cotter, president.
Having the right weight capacity and proper articulation is important.
Another important factor to consider is environmental access, Cotter
says.
Bariatric beds should be thoroughly tested and not only for weight
capacity, but also for width and depth and to ensure the right features
are included.
“These beds aren’t inexpensive, so you want to make sure you get one
that manufacturers stand behind,” says Dr. Kevin Huffman, bariatric
advisor for Gendron and a board-certified physician.
Some companies offer a variety of beds. Both Gendron and Big Boyz praised the “low” bed, designed to facilitate transfers.
Feldman says some of the low beds offered by Big Boyz are only eight
inches from the floor and minimize injury caused by accidental bed
falls. Low beds also give patients the ability to get out easily and
give health-care providers the access needed to do patient cleaning and
dressing, Huffman says.
Companies offering bariatric beds and accessories include American
Bantex Corp., Big Boyz Ind. Inc., ConvaQuip, Drive Medical, Gendron
Inc., Hill-Rom, Invacare Corp., PaceSaver, Sunflower Medical LLC and
Sunrise Medical.
