Related Experiment Videos
The staff's satisfaction with the hospital bed
K Petzäll1, B Berglund, C Lundberg
1Department of Caring Sciences, Mälardalen University, Box 883, S-721 23 Västerås, Sweden.
Aim:
To determine how nurses experience the functions of hospital beds and the bedside equipment when performing specified common nursing tasks.
Background:
The hospital bed is an important working tool for the nursing staff but few studies have focused on hospital beds at acute wards.
Method:
Data was collected with questionnaires answered by 74 registered and enrolled nurses from three Departments.
Findings:
The bed was frequently used when performing nursing tasks with patients in bed, but the manoeuvring features were difficult to adjust, resulting in unsatisfactory working postures. Transporting the patient in bed and cleaning of the bed were the most troublesome tasks. The bed clothes were often experienced as unsatisfactory for their patients.
Conclusions:
The beds have serious deficiencies. It is imperative to improve them, as a good physical milieu positively influences the working conditions of the staff.