Are you planning to buy ICU beds for your medical facility and confused between choosing fully electric and semi-electric ICU beds? If so, this blog will be helpful in making informed decisions.
The decision between the two types of ICU beds can impact patient care, staff efficiency and overall budget.
Fully Electric ICU Beds
A Fully Electric ICU bed is powered by motors that control all the major functions- like lowering and raising the head, foot and entire bed height with the help of electric controls. The nurses and patients can easily adjust the position with just a push of a button using a hand control, side panel or remote.
The key features of this bed are user-friendly control panels, battery backup in some models for seamless operation even during power outages, and motorized adjustments for height, backrest and leg rest.
Some models have smart features like bed exit alarms, weight scales and CPR controls. The fully electric ICU bed prices are comparatively higher than the manual and semi-electric ICU beds.
Benefits of Fully Electric ICU Beds
- These ICU beds allow the nurses and hospital staff to quickly reposition patients without physical strain.
- Patients can adjust their position without help, increasing their dignity and independence.
- The fully electric ICU beds reduce the risk of injuries for caregivers and patients because of minimal manual handling.
- They are ideal for critical care settings where a patient’s position needs to be changed frequently.
Semi- Electric ICU Beds
Semi Electric ICU beds offer a blend of manual and motorized controls. In these beds only the head and foot adjustments are motorized. The height is manually adjusted using a crank by the hospital staff or nurse. These beds have electric controls for back and leg rest adjustments, and manual crank for height adjustments and have the basic electronic functionality with fewer additional smart features.
Benefits of Semi-Electric ICU beds
- The price of a semi- electric ICU bed is comparatively less than the fully-electric beds, making them a good choice for budget-conscious facilities.
- The height can be adjusted manually ensuring the bed movement can happen even during the power failure.
- They are ideal for patients who require positional adjustments but not frequent bed height changes.
What are the major differences between fully electric and semi-electric ICU beds?
- Adjustability: The fully electric beds have full electric control and the semi-electric beds are a mix of manual and partial electric control.
- User-Friendly: The fully electric beds are very easy to use by the hospital staff and even by the patient. In semi-electric ICU beds, moderate manual effort is required.
- Ideal For: The fully electric beds are ideal for critical care and high-dependency units and the semi-electric ones are ideal for general wards and moderate care units.
- Cost: The cost of a fully electric ICU bed is higher and that of semi electric bed is lower.
- Dependent on Power: The fully electric ICU beds need power and the semi-electric ones can have their height adjusted manually when the power fails.
- Advanced Features: Advanced features like alarms, in-bed weight checking and more are included in fully electric beds and the semi beds usually do not have such added features.
Fully Electric ICU bed vs Semi Electric ICU bed- Which One Should One Buy?
- Patient Requirements: If the ICU deals with critical care patients like ventilated or trauma patients or those with mobility issues, then a fully electric ICU bed is a go-to option. This is because such patients need frequent repositioning to prevent bed sores, facilitate breathing and maintain blood circulation, which the fully electric ICU beds simplify. For less critical patients who need some help but can tolerate manual intervention, semi-electric beds are sufficient.
- Staff Requirements: Fully electric ICU beds make the work of the nursing staff easier as the patients can be moved and repositioned without any hassle. The beds allow the hospital staff to provide excellent care to the patients without risking injury. The semi-electric beds are partially motorized and require manual height adjustments. This can be physically demanding if done frequently, especially in high-volume hospitals. If your medical facility has limited staff, then fully electric beds are a major advantage.
- Budget considerations: When seeking the ICU bed type cost, the fully electric beds are more expensive. However, considering their long-term value, easier patient handling means fewer staff injuries, less time lost and potentially lower insurance claims. Semi-electric beds are the economical choice for those hospitals with limited budgets or wards where frequent repositioning and critical care are not needed.
Both fully electric and semi-electric ICU beds have their place in modern healthcare. If you aim for critical care, staff efficiency and advanced technology, fully electric beds are a smart choice. However, if your facility needs to balance quality care with budget control and patient condition does not demand frequent repositioning; semi-electric beds are an ideal choice.
Consider three significant factors before making an informed choice. The factors are the type of patients, the facility’s workload and staff numbers and budget and long-term operational goals.
Choosing the right ICU bed is beyond comfort, it is enhancing patient outcomes, running a more efficient medical facility and supporting the hospital staff.
FAQs
- What is the price of an electric ICU bed in India?
The price of an Electric ICU bed in India depends on whether it is a fully electric or semi-electric bed. The price of the former is comparatively higher than the latter. The price varies based on specifications and features. Contact the right hospital furniture manufacturer like United Poly to know the exact pricing details. - What is a fully electric ICU bed?
A fully electric ICU bed is a motorized adjustment of the bed height, head and foot sections using electric controls. - What is a semi-electric ICU bed?
A semi-electric ICU bed features motorized head and foot adjustments but height is adjusted manually using a crank. Work with the best hospital furniture suppliers like United Poly to get details of the semi-electric beds.
