How beds are used at a University Hospital--a study of bed and bedside activities

Hospital beds have to fulfil many demands, and the features of the bed will consequently affect the comfort of both patients and staff at the ward. In the present study the use of hospital beds at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg was investigated. The study was performed in two somatic wards; one general surgery ward and one internal medicine. The exact time of the observations as well as the categories of usage and activities performed on and at the bedside by the caring staff and the patients were registered. The study shows that there is a substantial difference between the two wards. In the surgery ward, the beds to a great extent play an active part in medical therapy and treatment, whereas beds in the medicine ward are used for vegetative recovery such as sleep, rest and alimentation. The personnel spent only a few hours with the patients, while they were in their beds, most of the caring occurring away from the bed. The results of the present study concerning how beds are utilized in modern hospital care should be considered when purchasing and designing hospital beds.