This dilemma is often faced by hospital management because – how do you actually decide on the right ICU beds? Intensive Care Units are governed by their own rules, so answering this question is just as complex as deciding on a clear, genereally accepted definition of an ICU. The World Federation of Intensive and Critical Care (WFICC) refers to an ICU as an area in a hospital whose location and organisation focus on providing care to critically ill patients. To this end, it has qualified staff and equipment that can actively support the functioning of failing human body systems[1]. The medical equipment found in the ICU is a dynamically operating system, of which hospital beds are an important component. So, how about trying to select ICU beds for your hospital? Let’s find out what we need to pay attention to.
ICU beds to suit your needs
ICU beds are one of the most important pieces of ICU equipment, so we should start the selection by analysing our own facility. Let’s answer the question: will the beds be moved between rooms? If so, compare the width of the passageways with the maximum width of the bed. Check the weight of the product and the diameter of the castors. If the floor is damaged or if there are steel ramps, thresholds etc. in the facility, – choose larger wheels. When there are a lot of turns and tight passageways in the hospital – check how a fixed castor or a fifth castor (allowing a 360° rotation in place) works. When determining the requirements for transporting an ICU bed with a patient, keep equipment in mind. Check how the IV hangers function, whether a given model of intensive care bed offers space for oxygen cylinders. Also, assess the suitability of the shelf for medical monitors. Do not forget to determine the compatibility of headboards with additional accessories, e.g.: an alternating pressure mattress pump.
Famed NANO – state-of-the-art ICU beds are medical equipment supporting the work of medical staff.
Making things easier for medical staff
Advanced hospital beds will allow the majority of movements to be handled using controllers. Intensive care beds with lateral tilts will not only enable improvement of patient health but will also facilitate hygiene activities. For some patients, bedding can even be changed by one person. In the case of lateral therapy, you should constantly monitor the condition of the patient and the catheters, tubes and wires with which they are connected to the medical equipment. Remember that up to 65% of ICU patients may be subjected to very early mobilisation[2]. Introduce very early mobilisation (VEM) as part of the daily work with the patient to minimise recovery time. Some ICU beds are equipped with special features to facilitate patient positioning for VEM activities.
The very early mobilisation (VEM) function speeds up the recovery of the patient who uses the Famed NANO ICU bed.
Mattress – an indispensable element of an ICU bed
ICU beds, or hospital beds in general, are often understood as elements permanently equipped with a mattress – this statement is certainly true. It is, after all, the largest element that a patient’s body comes into contact with. When there are no funds in the budget for an active (air) mattress, look for an experienced supplier who can offer high levels of anti-decubitus properties in an “ordinary” foam mattress. If, on the other hand, intensive care beds are equipped with an alternating pressure mattress, bear in mind the maximum allowable thickness of such a mattress. This parameter is specified in each case in the bed user manual. The maximum allowable mattress height is regulated by a relevant standard. It is important here to protect the patient from falling out of the intensive care bed, especially when tilting it laterally.
Electrical control of the ICU bed facilitates work with patients.
Safety
When choosing intensive care beds, one should also consider aspects related to its disinfection. Choosing an ICU bed made with antiseptic technology to prevent the spread of microorganisms will reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections. Such solutions are also offered by Polish manufacturers of medical equipment, e.g. by Famed Żywiec. The pSilver™ technology used in all plastic and varnished bed components limits the spread of microorganisms. A design that reduces the area that allows contaminants to settle will be an additional advantage. This will facilitate the fight against hospital-acquired infections. Advanced intensive care beds should also have side rails along the length of the mattress frame. Rails permanently fitted to an ICU bed will protect the patient from falling out. CPR levers or removable headboards, which are visible from anywhere, are also extremely important and can serve as CPR support. Side rails that can be dropped below the level of the mattress frame are also useful, making it easier for the patient to get out of bed.
ICU beds with a CPR lever accessible from either side.
ICU beds from trusted manufacturers
As you can see, there are several aspects to consider before choosing the right ICU bed. Of course, choosing the right model will depend on both your expectations and budget. We should take care of the availability of service as early as at the stage of ordering an intensive care bed. The best service will be the one provided directly by the manufacturer or by partners trained by the manufacturer. You should also look at the medical equipment manufacturer itself. Take into account its experience, reviews of the medical equipment it produces and the materials it uses. Use leading brands, such as Famed Żywiec, which has been manufacturing ICU beds, hospital beds, operating tables, delivery beds and patient transport trolleys for over 75 years. Famed Żywiec medical equipment is known and appreciated in more than 110 countries worldwide. Reviews of the company’s devices are consistently at a very good level.
Sources:
[1] https://www.wficc.com/images/pdfs/resources/What-is-an-ICU.pdf (dostęp: 20.09.2022)
[2] Early Mobilization of Patients in Intensive Care: Organization, Communication and Safety Factors that Influence Translation into Clinical Practice, Critical Care volume 22, Article number: 77 (2018)
