A modern hospital setting is incomplete without appropriate furniture contributing to patient care and comfort. Every piece of hospital furniture plays a significant role and serves a particular purpose. However, for that, quality selection of every piece of furniture is a must, and many might feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing some for their facility. While we cannot cover the long list of hospital furniture and its selection in this guide, we have discussed three important types to help you begin.
Let’s get in!
Hospital Bedside Locker
A hospital bedside locker is an important fixture placed beside the patient’s bed. It offers a convenient storage space to patients, allowing them to put all their necessities and belongings at an accessible distance. Additionally, these lockers enable caregivers to store necessary medical supplies and documents concerning patients.
Overall, a bedside locker enhances the patient experience, eases the caregiver’s job, maximizes space utilization, and promotes infection control.
How Do You Choose a Hospital Bedside Locker?
Some key considerations when choosing a bedside locker are:
- Construction and Material
Select bedside lockers made from durable materials like high-quality plastic or stainless steel. This will ensure their durability and capacity to withstand abrasion. Moreover, quality materials allow easy cleaning and disinfection, contributing to hygiene.
- Accessibility
Choose a locker that offers accessible drawers, ergonomic handles, and adjustable shelves. This ensures that patients, regardless of their mobility limitations, can access items as and when they want.
- Safety and Security
Make sure to check all the security or lock mechanisms the bedside locker features. It is crucial to choose a locker with proper mechanisms to avoid any unwanted incidents concerning patients’ or their belongings’ safety.
- Design and Aesthetics
The overall visual appeal is as important as the furniture’s functionality. So, select pieces that complement the theme of your medical setting.
Hospital Bed
As the name suggests, a hospital bed is medical furniture specifically designed to cater to the care requirements of hospitalized patients. They play a crucial role in keeping patients comfortable throughout their treatment and stay. Overall, the primary function of a hospital bed is to enhance patient safety, care, and comfort.
Different types of hospital beds are designed to serve patients undergoing treatments across medical departments. However, to cater to them all effectively, careful consideration must be made when choosing beds for your facility. Let us look into some factors that should affect your selection of a hospital bed.
How to Choose a Hospital Bed?
Some general considerations when choosing a hospital bed are:
- Weight Capacity and Size
Hospital beds have different weight-bearing capacities, so choose a bed that can accommodate patients of all sizes and weights.
- Safety
Patient safety is of utmost importance. Consider selecting hospital beds with safety mechanisms or features like side railings and head/footboards to prevent unnecessary falls and accidents.
- Positioning
Look for a hospital bed offering adjustable positions and height. This makes it easier for the caregiver and patients to adjust themselves as and when required.
- Mobility
Hospital beds should have wheels, making movement around the facility easy whenever required.
- Accessories
Consider choosing a bed with important accessories as per the patient’s requirements. Please note that the additional accessories vary depending on the type of hospital bed.
Note: Discussed here are general factors to consider when selecting any hospital ward care bed or other beds. However, specific considerations differ with the type of bed and facility.
Patient Examination Table
The patient examination table, also known as the examination couch or bed, is specifically designed to keep patients comfortable during examinations and allow doctors to complete the process effectively. There are different types of patient examination tables offering stable and adjustable surfaces to meet various requirements of medical tests.
Apart from tests, it is extremely useful for minor surgeries, diagnostic or therapeutic examinations, and consultations.
How Do You Choose a Patient Examination Table?
Key factors to consider when choosing a patient examination table are:
- Adjustability
Choose an examination table that allows doctors to position patients according to the test requirements. Moreover, height adjustment features should be considered for enhanced comfort and safety.
- Use Case and Ease of Use
Determine your facility’s examination and patient requirements to choose a table accordingly. Additionally, consider the amount of time and physical effort it takes for you to operate the examination table. There are manual and electric tables available with different features
to suit your needs.
- Weight Capacity
Inquire about the table’s weight capacity and select one that can withstand the weight of obese patients. Also, the build quality should be sturdy.
- Padding
The table’s padding should be made of high-quality material since it significantly contributes to the patient’s comfort. Moreover, it must be durable and easy to clean so hygiene is maintained at all times.
Conclusion
Hospital furniture significantly contributes to the quality of patient care your facility offers. So, make sure to consider genuine factors and make wise decisions. If you still feel confused about selecting furniture for your medical facility, get help from professionals offering hospital furniture consulting.
