Estimates show that 51% of the recorded inpatient accidents in hospitals resulted from getting into or out of the bed, and 95% of these falls led to minor injury while the other 4.95% reported major injury. Falls are considered as negative outcomes and associated with poor quality of care, compromising the safety of patients in healthcare institutions. There is no universal approach to fall prevention and constant monitoring is not a solution as it would lead to additional hospital staff and burden the already overstretched healthcare systems. However, wireless hospital beds can prove to be an effective solution to prevent falls, especially among older inpatients. Recently, Stryker Corporation launched the industry’s first and only fully wireless hospital bed, ProCuity^TM. The intelligent hospital bed is designed to reduce inpatient hospital falls, enhance workflow efficiencies, improve patient and caregiver safety at all acuity levels, and cut down hospital costs.

 

Incorporating ProCuity’s Secure® Connect^TM wireless solution, ProCuity^TM hospital bed is a one-of-its-kind that integrates a nurse call system without the use of any wires or cables. Besides, with iBed^TM Wireless technology, bed configuration, and exit alarm activity can be made compatible with hospital information systems (HIS). The iBed vision is a patient-centric clinical dashboard that comes optional with the wireless bed help to enhance visibility for caregivers to safe bed configuration as well as bed exit alarm activity. 

 

Ergonomically designed hospital bed, ProCuity is set to an industry-low height of 11.5 inches that helps to promote safe patient handling and reduce the severity of injuries even if the patients roll out of bed. The smart bed includes intuitive patient positioning, bed-exit alarms, indicators for bed height, side-rail configuration, and other features to minimize risks. Equipped with completely wireless features, ProCuity effectively addresses the nurse call cable connectivity issue prevalent in hospitals. Combining wireless bed communication, bed data, and bed exit alarm system provides a proactive approach for compliance to best practices aimed at fall prevention. In a way, ProCuity hospital bed eliminates the need for continuous monitoring, which can be labor-intensive and difficult to implement with the limited resources at the hospital. 

 

Generally, patients are reliant on their caregivers or hospital staff for mobility and other physical demands, that constantly put both the patient and caregivers at risk. While assisting patients in changing their position from supine lying to sitting using the manual technique, the caregivers are vulnerable to injuries. The ProCuity hospital bed provides optimum ergonomic facilities with its smart bed technology for safe mobility and practices for both the patient and the caregiver. Providing accessible grab points and bedside rail design, the wireless hospital bed facilitates mobility tasks such as changing supine to sitting position and then sitting to standing position. Three-position Secure® Assist side rails allow easier nurse-patient interaction as well as easier entry and exit. Moreover, the side rails work in a “clocking motion” and stay tightly close to the bed and avoid unnecessary interferences with objects placed next to the bed. 

 

The ProCuity’s exclusive Adaptive Bed Alarm leverages load cell technology to determine the weight of the patient and alert the caregiver if the patient is not in the best position or has left the bed. From side rail positioning to managing the head of bed angle and height, all the operational aspects of the bed can be monitored with the iBed^TM Watch system, which constantly provides alerts to the staff if any component changes its position or moves out of balance. 

 

The ProCuity Z and ZM models come with Zoom^® Motorized Drive, which aids caregivers in the safe and effective mobility of the patients. The motorcycle throttle-like touch handle of the drive deploys central fifth wheels and is also available with one-touch electric brakes. ProCuity’s integrated bed extender allows the bed to stretch an additional 12 inches in length to accommodate tall patients. The hospital bed also consists of a USB port and holder to allow patients to charge and store personal electronic devices without needing to leave the bed and finding a port, which reduces the risk of accidents.

 

From MedSurg units to the ICU, the ProCuity hospital bed enables standardization across the hospital with its customizable design and features, which further helps to reduce hospital costs, need for bed transfers, and puts less burden on resources. The company assures a guarantee of a 50% in reduction in bed-related falls with ProCuity hospital beds using iBed Wireless technology. Stryker has launched the innovative ProCuity beds globally in over 70 countries including North America, Europe, Middle East, Australia, Asia, and Latin America. 

 

Alternate Hospital Beds for Ultimate Comfort 

Invacare 5410IVC

The fully electric hospital bed manufactured by Invacare is designed for the convenience of both the patient and the caregiver. The intuitive and ergonomically designed hand-pendant allows easy adjustments of body positions of the patient and height of the bed. The interchangeable bed ends reduce inventory, and the durable panels are easy to maintain. The hospital bed comes with an easy-to-install full rail and is easily operatable with a remote. Invacare 5410IVc has a weight capacity of 350 pounds and a sleep surface of 80 inches by 36 inches. The innerspring mattress of the Invacare 5410IVc eliminates the possibility of bedsores, allowing improved circulation and promoting better sleep. 

 

Patriot Full-Electric Bed

The Patriot Full-Electric Bed manufactured by Graham Field comes with adjustable height and is available in a low and electric version. The hospital bed can be adjusted from head, feet, and thigh positions for the convenience of the patient and better inventory management. With the grid neck, the patriot full-electric bed offers a firm frame and strong foundation to the patient. The bed can be adjusted to the level of caster wheels or kept stable at a standard height. The height of the bed can be adjusted with the help of a remote. The hospitable bed has a lift range of 60° at the head and 30° at the knees along with the patient capacity of 350 pounds.

 

Drive Medical Delta Ultra-Light 1000

The interchangeable Drive Medical 100 bed comes with a universal style and crackproof foot and headboard. The self-contained single motor and junction box reduce noise and distraction while adjusting the height. The hospital bed is lightweight and has superior strength due to the zinc-coated spring deck. The Drive Medical Delta Ultra-light bed has two side rails near the head of the bed and the height of the bed can be raised with remote control. The hospital bed can support a weight of 450 pounds and comes with a lifetime warranty. The 9-Volt backup battery in the motor can aid in raising the bed and lowering it down up to 9 times. 

 

Ultracare XT Four Section Joerns Hospital Bed

The evolutionary Ultracare XT Four Section Joerns Hospital Bed can be easily adapted to any configuration or resident care environment due to its remarkable combination of style, performance, and function. The bed steel frame has been engineered with toroidal architecture that makes it up to thirty times stronger than iron. The hospital bed has an optional staff control for safety lockouts and ergonomic functionality. The ultra-lock feature present at the head and foot end maximizes the security and mobility of the hospital bed. 

 

Conclusion 

The latest innovation introduced by Stryker with ProCuity wireless hospital beds is expected to change the quality of patient care. Addressing some of the most pressing healthcare challenges, ProCuity intends to enhance patient outcomes and assist caregivers for years to come. The “brilliance in bed” solution created after extensive research from healthcare professionals has no competition as of now. But it is only a matter of time when wireless hospital beds would become standard and widely available in clinical settings. 

According to TechSci research report on “Global Hospital Beds Market By Type (General, Pediatric, Birthing, Bariatric, Pressure Relief, Others), By Power (Manual, Semi-electric, Electric), By Treatment (Acute Care, Long-term Care, Critical Care), By Application (Intensive Care, Non-Intensive), By End User (Hospitals, Home Care Settings, Elderly Care Facilities), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2025”, the global hospital beds market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of more than 11% owing to rising inclination towards home healthcare services. Besides, increasing government initiatives to advance healthcare infrastructure and continuous technological improvements are further boosting the growth of global hospital beds market through 2025.  

According to another TechSci research report on “Global Hospital Market By Ownership (Public v/s Private), By Type (General, Specialty, Multi- Speciality), By Type of Services (In-Patient Services v/s Out-Patient Services), By Bed Capacity (Up to 100 beds, 100-500 beds, Above 500 beds), By Company, By Region (North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Europe), Forecast & Opportunities, 2026”, the global hospital market was valued at USD42 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 6.70% owing to growing geriatric population and increasing patient pool requiring immediate treatment. Besides, rising healthcare expenditures, and advancing diagnostic technologies are boosting the growth of global hospital market by 2026. Moreover, increasing government initiatives to foster healthcare environments are propelling the global hospital market.