COVER STORY: The race to the bottom: why ultra-low floor beds are not always safer

Stacey Taylor, marketing manager at wissner bosserhoff, explains why the careful consideration of the application of low floor beds across care facilities is so important

An ultra-low floor bed is being used as a solution by many care facilities across the UK to help minimise the risk of injuries to individuals at risk of falls. This is achieved by allowing the carer to position the bed very near the floor, sometimes with a safety mat also positioned next to the bed with the aim of reducing injury if a roll-out was to occur. However, you should beware of basing your overall purchasing decisions on how to get your care bed to the lowest possible floor height. Lower does not always mean safer! There are other concerns that should not be overlooked, and instead should be very carefully considered for any individual who is being considered for a floor bed.

The overlooked challenges of a floor bed at nursing height

To allow the bed to get as low as possible, many ultra-low floor beds have certain limitations to their design; one very important aspect being that they do not usually have any side rails for additional protection. This means that a resident would need two members of staff on hand to carry out duties such as personal care when the bed is raised to the nursing height position. This is the only way to guarantee safety and minimise the risk of someone being able to roll out of bed on the other side. At a time when care staff resource is more stretched than ever, this is not always going to be a practical solution. The only way to minimise the risk further would be for the bed to be positioned against a wall, but again, this compromise will have implications on administering care and will reduce easy access to the resident from the other side of the bed, which again impacts on staff care duties. 

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.

Latest Issues

Care Roadshows Wales

Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
12th November 2024

LaingBuisson Social Care Summit North

Etihad Stadium, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3FF
Thursday 13th February 2025

Care England Conference

Church House Conference Centre, Westminster, London
13th March 2025

Care Sector Supplier Awards

London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf, 22 Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4ED
29th April 2025

LaingBuisson Social Care Summit

etc.venues, St. Paul's, London
Thursday 5th June 2025