Hospital beds are perhaps one of the elements of hospital equipment most associated with hospitals. Anyone who has ever been to a hospital has had direct contact with them or at least seen them in a hospital room. However, not everyone notices something more than a mattress and steel structure in a hospital bed. Have you ever wondered why a hospital bed looks the way it does? And above all, where do all those holes and spaces come from and why do most designs on the market look similar? You will find the answers to these and other questions in this article. Especially for you, we will explain what the safety of hospital beds means. Let’s get started!
The standard that hospital beds must meet
Let’s start with the 60601-2-52 standard, which, in the case of our country, determines the way hospital beds (medical beds) look. Compliance with that standard is mandatory for all manufacturers of hospital beds, irrespective of the country of manufacture. A manufacturer of medical equipment wishing to offer hospital beds on the market must not only be certified as a manufacturer but also make sure that its product meets all the provisions of the above-mentioned standard. The document was developed based on many years of observations of medical incidents and the experience of people using hospital beds. The main objective of the standard is to protect the life and health of patients and medical staff. The analysis of accidents and hazards has been carried out for years in many countries, which adds to the credibility of the provisions of the 60601-2-52 standard. All spacing, dimensions and other provisions also take into account the diversity of the population. This means that a medical bed should be equally safe for both a small person of short stature and an almost two-meter-tall patient weighing over 100 kg.
– For us, as a manufacturer of medical equipment present in 113 countries around the world, strict compliance with the requirements and adapting products to different users is extremely important. The average height of women in Thailand is 153.7 cm, and the average height of a Dutch man – one of the tallest population in the world – is 183.8 cm[1]. Famed Żywiec sells its hospital beds to both countries, therefore one can see how important it is to thoroughly test the products and comply with safety standards – says Michał Grossy, Marketing and Product Manager at Famed Żywiec.
Hospital beds designed with safety in mind
Safety is one of the most important factors that medical equipment manufacturers take into account when designing hospital beds. Already at the technical drawing stage, it is necessary to take into account appropriate parameters that will allow for the safe use of the hospital bed. First of all, the distance between the mattress and the headboard and the distance between all moving parts is crucial. Maintaining the correct distances helps to minimise or eliminate the risk of the patient’s limbs being trapped. The risk increases further in the case of beds with segments controlled by electric actuators. The dimensions of the openings in the side rails and headboards are also important. These may pose a danger to pediatric patients, patients with poor mental health or under the influence of some drugs.
The most important parameters included in the 60601-2-52 standard
Below, there are the most important parameters included in the standard, which a hospital bed approved for use in medical facilities should have.
The gap between the side rails and the gap between the rails and the top on the leg side should be less than 6 cm or more than 31.8 cm. Thus, the standard allows the use of handrails along the entire length of the bed and ¾ handrails, maintaining appropriate spacing.
Most of the openings and gaps marked with “A” should not allow the insertion of a 120 mm diameter measuring device.
Hospital beds with the most important distances as per the standard.
Provisions in the standard for hospital bed mattresses
One of the most important parameters to pay attention to is the maximum thickness of the mattress used in a bed. It is best to use certified mattresses offered by hospital bed manufacturers. The distance between the top edge of the side handrail and the top edge of the mattress (refers to an expanded mattress, without a load) should be a minimum of 220 mm. In addition, to use an advanced active mattress, consult the manufacturer or check the user manual for the permitted maximum mattress thickness. In the case of Famed Żywiec hospital beds, already at the order stage, we are able to offer beds adapted to an oversized mattress or conduct appropriate safety tests. The Polish manufacturer allows the use of mattresses up to 24 cm thick (depending on the version and variant).
The Famed NEXO hospital bed allows the use of a mattress up to 25 cm thick, with appropriate extensions.
Minimum spacing of moving parts
There is another important provision regarding hospital beds on the market. This concerns the minimum spacing of moving parts, which should prevent fingers from being trapped. Here, it is worth noting that actual hospital conditions sometimes differ from the theoretical stipulations. Haste, covered openings or fatigue can contribute to the use of a different grip or the grabbing of a bed component while still holding other equipment. That’s why one can already find hospital beds on the market with exceeded distances, compared to those specified in the standard. Famed Żywiec offers increased space between the side rails, inter alia. Such a solution certainly further protects the patient and medical staff from getting their fingers or hands caught.
On the left, Famed Żywiec hospital beds with a distance consistent with the standard, including space for larger hands. On the right, hospital beds from another manufacturer with standard-compliant spacing.
