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Individuals with special healthcare needs may benefit from placing a hospital bed in the home. For starters, it can make loved ones feel more comfortable by being in a familiar environment. In addition, hospital beds may make caregiving easier and decrease the likelihood of experiencing other injuries or illnesses.

However, utilizing a hospital bed at home comes with its own set of rules and regulations. Proper hospital bed maintenance is essential in making sure patients are safe and comfortable. Offering medical equipment delivery and equipment rentals, Home Care Pharmacy touches on the best ways to maintain a home hospital bed.

Become Familiar with Federal and State Regulations

Hospital beds can instigate injuries and illnesses if not handled properly. That’s why there are many federal and state regulations for hospital bed construction and maintenance. Many nurses and medical assistants know these laws, making them a reliable resource for questions and concerns.

Individuals unsure of federal regulations and/or state laws should consider calling their medical provider for insight. These professionals may be able to explain the process and point their patients in the direction of someone who will assist them further. These regulations ensure all hospital beds are clean and working at their best capacity, so it’s important to adhere to them to maintain the utmost safety.

Clean Hospital Bed Surfaces

It’s recommended to clean hospital surfaces and sheets at least once per week. When wiping down bed surfaces, use mild soap and warm water. Try not to use cleaning products that are harsh or heavily scented, as this can cause discomfort and potentially adverse health effects. Next, wipe the surfaces once more with a dry cloth, ensuring everything is dry and free from cleaning products.

Observe Mattress Covers and Mattresses

Mattress covers are typically designed to prevent viruses and bacteria from bodily fluids, like blood, from getting onto the mattress. However, after some time, mattress covers can become worn and begin to allow bacteria to seep into the mattress. This is why it’s important to change mattress covers and sheets periodically. If left unchanged, this can allow bacteria to remain on the mattress, which can lead to recurrent and serious infections for the individual.

To maintain better cleanliness, check all surfaces of the mattress, sheets, and mattress cover at least once a week for stains and other substances. If the mattress cover or mattress has accrued stains, a person may want to alert an infection control nurse. This ensures that the mattress and mattress cover are properly replaced, avoiding further infection.

Check Screws and Parts

Hospital beds feature many parts that can fail to work if not properly maintained. Regularly inspecting screws and parts can not only ensure the bed is working at its best capacity, but can also avoid injuries associated with broken parts. One part of the hospital bed to frequently check is the bed rails. Bed rails are essential in keeping patients safe and comfortable. However, if something goes wrong, it can lead to injuries and discomfort. Make sure all bed rails are stable and can move up and down efficiently. Other hospital bed parts to look at include:

• Spring hooks
• Actuator screws
• Hi-Lo connecting tubes
• Spring hooks
• Bolts, locks, and screws
• Emergency hand lever (if applicable)
• Head and footboards

If any parts are not working at their best capacity, applying grease can loosen them up and provide smoother use. If grease does not help, further maintenance assistance may be necessary.

Look at Wheels and Caster Locks

Wheels allow easy mobility of hospital beds, which is an essential part of maintaining comfort. However, wheels can easily become damaged, which can lead to serious risks if left unfixed. Always check the caster wheels on the hospital bed, ensuring they roll efficiently and smoothly. In addition, looking at the caster wheel locks can avoid serious injury or mishaps. For example, broken wheel locks can cause the bed to move to unwanted spaces, putting the patient at risk of injuries. Periodically checking the wheels and caster locks can prevent unwanted bed movements and rolling.

Electric Hospital Bed Switches

Individuals with electric hospital beds in their homes should check all switches to make sure they are working efficiently. Items to review include the following switches:

• Hi-Lo
• Lockout control
• Pendant control

Ensuring the switches are working at their best can avoid the potential risk of injury due to faulty electrical switches. In addition, it is a wise idea to check the power cord to look for any damage, bending, or splitting.

Get Assistance from Home Care Pharmacy

Individuals in Los Angeles or Ventura Counties, California, can rely on Home Care Pharmacy to assist with hospital bed maintenance. With extensive knowledge about patient care and comfort, the pharmacy team helps people attain the best possible care in an environment they feel most comfortable.

Located in Simi Valley, CA, this family pharmacy is committed to the health of patients and their loved ones in the community through medical equipment rental, vaccinations, and similar services. To learn more about maintaining hospital beds for home, contact us at Home Care Pharmacy today.