New hospital beds at MMH put safety of patients, staff first

Patients at Melissa Memorial Hospital can expect safer and more comfortable hospital beds after 15 new beds were purchased and moved to the hospital in July.

The upgraded beds are in patient rooms on the med-surge floor but not in the emergency room.

Jennifer Cano, director of nursing at MMH, said the old beds were very outdated, and most of them had been brought over from the hospital’s prior location. She noted that some had to be constantly repaired.

Typically, hospital beds should be replaced every seven to 10 years, and Cano said the old beds were far older than that.

The new beds, which were purchased using COVID-19 funds, have numerous features that make things better for patients and staff members.

A total of five pumps were purchased that assist with turning the patient over in the bed, reducing the risk of injury to patients and staff. The pumps can reposition patients on a schedule, too.

“They’re more comfortable, and they’re safer,” Marissa Bussell, clinical nurse manager, said of the beds. “We’ve got a variety to fit all types of patients.”

All beds can extend to accommodate taller patients, and there is a bariatric bed for larger patients.

The beds also help nurses ensure that safety measures are in place. They have lighting underneath them to help with safety, and the beds can notify staff members when patients are shifting their weight in the bed, when the bed alarm isn’t on and when a bed’s two side rails aren’t up.

The beds help prevent pressure wounds, or bed sores, using a constant air and gel flow through the mattresses as well as the repositioning done by the pumps.

“The feedback has been very positive,” said Cano, adding that the beds will eventually integrate with the hospital’s call bell system, meaning the patients will be able to call a nurse using a button on the bed itself rather than a cord that they currently use.

The beds are highly adjustable and can be lowered to just 14 inches off the floor, allowing for less strain on staff members helping patients get out of bed.

For added convenience, the beds are equipped with cellphone chargers and holders on the side rails, and while the beds provide extra comforts and conveniences like these, patients can rest well knowing that the beds’ technology allows for easier monitoring by staff members and increases their safety during their stay.