Buying a new hospital-style bed for your home can be a burden, especially in this current economic climate. For many, the world of hand-me-downs and pre-owned equipment remains the soundest budgetary decision. But don’t let the lower prices alone tempt you. It might be a great deal for some, and for others a nightmarish puzzle of parts and research before even lying in bed.
Before finalizing your purchase, it is a good rule of thumb to do your research and inspect the equipment and its components thoroughly. Take your time and give it a good look, scour every nook and cranny and even give it a try. Avoid any unnecessary stress and follow our guidelines. Don't forget: you are shopping for medical equipment and not a luxury articulated bed from those big retailers.
The Mattress
First, let's talk about the mattress. Being the central cog in all this sleep operation, this is the surface you will be in contact with the most. Most electric care beds will be paired with a therapeutic mattress such as the Glissando and Solace. Depending on your condition or needs, the mattress supplied might not be adapted to the situation.
Needless to say, it is a good idea to inspect the mattress surface for any tears, deformations and discolorations. If the cover is torn, weathered or discolored, the risks of urine, humidity or other filth infiltrating the foam is high. If the foam mattress is deformed or dry and flaky, the condition is dubious at best. Our tip: opt for a new preventive care mattress if your means allow for it. Due to the nature of care mattress use, you might be taking the risk of exposing yourself to urine, blood, fecal matter and other body fluids. On top of that, you might be inviting a bedbug colony to your home. If the water-resistant cover and the foam inlays seem in good condition, and that the original residence of the bed is infestation free, you could most likely keep the used mattress. A good scrub, decontamination and quarantine period for the mattress should be done before use.
The Frame and Mechanism
The next step will be to inspect the base of the hospital bed and the mechanical components attached to it. The base of the bed is where all the articulated magic happens. The best test is to try it yourself. Grab the remote, press on those buttons and make it move. First of all, does it even function? If it does, is it overly noisy and creaky? Do all the parts move fluidly, or does it seem labored and janky? Do the motors seem to work harder than necessary? Take the time to inspect the wiring and connections for any fraying, disconnections or outright breakage. While you’re at it, look at the condition of the paint and metal of the articulations. If you see rust, you see structural weakness bound to happen.
The mechanism is usually covered by the manufacturer's warranty (if the bed isn’t too old). This doesn’t mean that their assistance will be completely free, but don’t let that stop you from trying. If all the parts and components seem functional and in good condition, a little cleaning and greasing will do the trick to restore it. If you are uncertain of the condition and of your decision, you can have the bed inspected by our repair specialist in our workshop.
The Parts and Components
The last thing on your checklist should be the parts and components. More specifically, if said parts are still available or discontinued. Manufacturers have a tendency to discontinue certain lines of production and support system for certain products, making them obsolete. If that is your case, repairing and maintaining your electric hospital bed might be difficult if not impossible. If the bed model is old enough, your bed rails might not comply with today's safety standards. If parts are available, then that’s good news for you! The bed’s integrity and longevity can be maintained so long as you have access to these parts. Equipment of this size and price is not something you want to shop for every year. Once inside, it’s meant to stay.
The most important thing will be to check the availability of electronic components. A lock pin can easily be changed for another model or solution, but if your control module short-circuits and the part isn’t available, you’re dead in the water. The hand control pendants are usually not interchangeable as well. If the scissor mechanism is damaged or defective, but the control module is functional, your articulated bed will still be immobile. In fact, you risk further damaging the hospital bed by trying to use a defective model. To figure out if the electric bed you are looking at still has available parts, you simply have to look on the internet. The model number will be required. If that is not an option for you, you could always give us a call. Our experts will gladly help and guide you with the proper information.
Make yourself a checklist. Check every box and note any changes or repairs to be done. Weigh the pros and the cons of buying a used bed and compare your investment with the price of a new bed. The bed is in good condition, but you’ll need a new preventive care mattress? Your bed guard rails are full length and will need to be changed for half-length rails? Be certain to have inspected every nook and cranny possible before proceeding with your purchase. Used equipment might be more affordable, but you will have no warranty or guarantee to fall onto in case of a problem.
Be absolutely sure and confident in your decision. A used electric homecare bed can easily cost you the price of a new model if you aren't wary enough. You can call on us for any verification, troubleshooting and to compare prices. Our team will gladly inform you about the possibilities, alternatives or to help you move your adapted equipment. Shop wisely and carefully!
