The ICU bed is the piece of equipment a critically ill patient spends every hour on, and the one nurses adjust most often. Choosing the right bed affects patient safety, pressure-sore risk, nursing workload and how long the bed lasts. This guide explains the choices in plain terms.
Manual or motorised?
Manual beds are adjusted with crank handles at the foot end. They need no power, cost less and are simple to maintain, which makes them a good fit for general wards, step-down units and budget-sensitive projects.
Motorised (electric) beds are adjusted with electric actuators from a hand remote, and often from controls on the side rails. Positions change in seconds without the nurse bending over a crank, and the patient can often adjust the backrest themselves. Motorised beds are the standard choice for ICUs, HDUs and private rooms, where patients are repositioned many times a day.
How many functions?
- 2 functions: backrest and knee rest. Suits general wards.
- 3 functions: backrest, knee rest and height adjustment (Hi-Lo). Height adjustment protects nurses’ backs during care and makes transfers safer.
- 5 functions: the above plus Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg tilt. Tilt is used in shock, during central line insertion and to manage reflux and breathing, which is why most ICUs specify five-function beds.
Side rails, panels and frame
ICU beds normally have four split side rails so the patient is protected while staff can still reach the bed. ABS (moulded plastic) panels and rails are easy to clean and look modern; stainless steel rails are very strong and tolerate harsh disinfectants. The mattress platform should be sectioned and ideally perforated so the mattress breathes. Check the safe working load, especially for bariatric patients.
Castors, IV rod and accessories
Look for 125 mm castors with central or individual brakes, an IV rod with several mounting points, and a drainage bag hook. Some beds add a bumper, a CPR release lever to flatten the backrest quickly, and a battery backup for motorised beds during power cuts.
The mattress matters as much as the bed
A standard foam mattress suits short stays. Long-stay and immobile patients are at risk of pressure sores, so an alternating-pressure (anti-decubitus) air mattress is worth adding for the ICU. See our beds and mattresses range.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Department and patient type (ICU, HDU, ward, paediatric, bariatric)
- Manual or motorised, and the number of functions
- Side rail type and material
- Safe working load and bed dimensions for your rooms and lifts
- Castors, brakes, IV rod and CPR release
- Mattress type
- Warranty and who will service the actuators and remote
Planning a full ICU?
An ICU bed works with a multipara monitor, ventilator, infusion and syringe pumps and suction at every bed. Medasus supplies all of these on one quotation, with installation and training. See ICU set-up or browse ICU and critical care equipment.