In the early stages of hospital bed making, hospital beds were made to be adjusted manually, meaning raising or lowering of the hospital bed was done with the use of cranks. A process that can be quite cumbersome for anyone. This is what led to the production of other hospital bed types that are either fully or partly automated: semi-electric and electric hospital beds.
These two hospital bed types are powered by electricity and are controlled with the use of a remote. This allows even the bedridden the chance to be in charge of how the bed is positioned for their comfort.
Because these later inventions are operated in similar ways, people usually compare semi-electric vs electric hospital beds to bring out the differences between the two.
This helpful article is also written to help users differentiate between the two.
Table of Contents
- What are the differences between Semi electric and electric hospital bed?
- What is the hospital electric bed?
- What does semi-electric mean?
- Semi-electric or electric hospital bed, which one is better?
- Is semi-electric the same as an electric hospital bed?
- How does a semi-electric hospital bed work?
- Advantages and disadvantages of semi-electric bed
- Advantages and disadvantages of electric hospital bed
What are the differences between Semi electric and electric hospital bed?
The significant difference between a semi-electric and an electric hospital bed is that the lowering and raising of the latter are fully automated and entirely powered by electricity. While the lowering and raising of the former is done with the use of a crank but powered with electricity.
What is the hospital electric bed?
Hospital electric beds are beds designed with unique features that will ensure the well-being and comfort of the user as well as the convenience of the caregiver. This type of hospital bed usually comes with motor control features that allow the user to raise the bed frame’s height, head, and foot just by pressing a button. An electric hospital bed is usually prescribed for patients who are suffering from certain medical conditions like back pain, arthritis, and so on.
What does semi-electric mean?
Semi electric bed is also designed with specialized features and is also powered with electricity, but unlike the fully electric type, the overall adjustment is completely automated. Furthermore, the height of the bed is manually operated while the lowering and raising of the head and foot end of the bed are automated. Semi-electric is the most commonly used bed type in hospitals.
Semi-electric or electric hospital bed, which one is better?
In terms of functionality, an electric hospital bed is better than semi electric one because you can make adjustments to the foot end, head end, and height are fully motorized, which means users do not have to depend on relatives or their caregivers before they can put the bed in a comfortable position.
On the other end, the extra feature of adjusting the height of the bed automatically, which is absent in the semi-electric type, comes at an additional cost which is why they are more expensive. Since the semi-electric bed is cheaper, it means they also have an advantage over the electric hospital bed type.
Is semi-electric the same as an electric hospital bed?
No, a semi-electric bed is not the same as an electric hospital bed. Both semi-electric and electric hospital beds are controlled with electricity, and that is why both have electricity in their name, but that does not make them the same. The operation of an electric hospital bed is fully automated, while that of a semi-electric is partly operated because they are usually designed with cranks that will be used to adjust the height of the bed.
How does a semi-electric hospital bed work?
Semi-electric hospital beds usually come with a motor and a cord that is meant to be plugged into an electrical outlet. On this type of bed, you will also find a control pad that is hooked to the bed. This control pad is designed like a television remote, with each button on the control showing pictures of how the bed will move once the button is pushed.
Advantages and disadvantages of semi-electric bed
Advantage
- It gives patients more room for mobility compared to the manual hospital bed.
- It allows users to be independent of their caregiver when moving from their bed into a wheelchair.
- Compared to the manual hospital bed, semi-electrics are quieter and help reduce the stress patients, caregivers, and families usually undergo just to reposition the bed.
- Semi-electric hospital beds may not be as efficient as fully electric hospital beds in terms of performance, but they are much cheaper.
Disadvantages
- It does not allow patients complete control as they may need the assistance of a relative or caregiver to adjust the height of the bed.
- It is more expensive than the manual type.
Advantages and disadvantages of electric hospital bed
- The sleeping positions of patients are customized, which leads to an increase in the level of comfort they experience.
- This type of bed can help to relieve pain, and that is why they are often prescribed for users who are suffering from arthritis and sciatica.
- It helps improve users’ mental well-being as they tend to become completely independent of their caregiver or relative.
- It helps improve patients’ sleeping quality as the bed can be easily positioned, causing users to turn to the position they are comfortable in when sleeping.
- With the touch of a button, patients placed in this type of bed can easily make their way in and out of bed without any stress.
Disadvantages
- Electric hospital beds are usually costly, which means only some patients can afford them.
- They rely heavily on electricity which means during power outages, they may not be able to provide users with comfort.
- Electric hospital beds are heavier than manual hospital beds because they usually come with extra parts.