Due to their expensive nature and frequent usage, moving a hospital bed comes with a unique set of challenges that those with little to no experience in healthcare may struggle with. The good news is that with proper planning and guidance from a professional removalist, you can make the move more manageable and less of a hassle. Here are some tips, tricks, and expert advice on how to move a hospital bed.
Photo by RDNE Stock
Understand the bed's parts
Before moving any hospital bed, take the time to understand its parts and how they operate. Review the manufacturer’s instructions, and ask the hospital staff to provide insights on how to dismantle and assemble it. Make sure to take photos of each side and the mechanics as well as any parts so you can find exactly where each piece needs to go if you disassemble.
Choose the right moving equipment
You can use a dolly, wheelchair, or gurney to move a hospital bed. You may also consider renting a hydraulic lift to lift the bed off the ground. Before attempting to move anything, ensure that the equipment is the right size and strength for the bed. This can be checked by reading the manufacturer’s instructions or calling up the company’s hotline. The bed’s parts, particularly the frame, may be heavy and cumbersome, so you may need extra assistance from a professional moving company such as Grace Workplace Solutions or a strong friend who has experience moving heavy items.
Protect and wrap the bed
To protect the bed and appliances, wrap it in a thick moving blanket and use packing tape to secure it. If the bed has electrical components, unplug and wrap the cords neatly before packing, using cable ties to further secure the wires so they don’t get in the way. This simple act could prevent damage and reassembly errors.
Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade
Communicate with the healthcare facility
It’s essential to communicate with the healthcare facility staff and inform them of the transportation arrangements before the day of the move. Advanced notice permits them to coordinate with you, provide necessary equipment, advice and offer assistance to make the move easier.
Have a plan
To relocate something heavy requires more than just improvisation. A plan of reasonable understanding of transportation, how to move it through narrow passageways and what to do if stairs are the only accessible way forward, are crucial to think about before the move. Most healthcare facilities have wheelchair accessibility so stairs will not be a problem while transporting.
Identify the destination room
Once you arrive at the destination, identify the ideal room for the bed and determine the simplest path to follow, trying to avoid stairs if possible. Before moving the bed, schedule to use the elevator separately and organise for someone to come help with the move. Ensure that the destination room has ample spacing such as the doorway to accommodate the bed and its attachments. It may be better to do a couple of different runs rather than trying to move the entire bed in once go.
Photo by Martha Dominguez de Gouveia
Reassemble and test the bed
Assemble the bed to match the instructions provided before use and the photos taken before disassembling. Also check and test all the features before using it again. If you experience any issues upon reassembly, consult the healthcare facility immediately.
Get professional help
For healthcare institutions with multiple beds, it may seem overwhelming and time-consuming to move them using in-house resources. Consider working with professional medical moving providers such as Grace Workplace Solutions. These providers have the right equipment, tools and experience to handle all your healthcare equipment relocations, including disconnecting and reconnecting electrical equipment. Click here to read about Grace’s health and laboratory relocations, a perfect reminder that professionals get the work done flawlessly.
Moving a hospital bed requires a lot of coordination and planning. Understanding the bed’s mechanics and parts, having the correct protective equipment for relocation, communication with the institution prior to the move and identifying the destination room in advance are critical components of the process. On the day of the move, communication with the healthcare facility, protection material and securing of all vital equipment, and proper testing after moving are extra vital steps to consider. By following these tips, tricks, and expert advice, you can make moving a hospital bed more manageable and less disruptive to you and the healthcare facility.
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