Quality sleep plays a vital role in patient recovery and overall well-being.
Sleep is essential for good health. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. The way you feel while you are awake depends in part on what happens while you are sleeping. In the hospital setting, where patients often face numerous stressors and discomforts. Many patients in hospitals have difficulty sleeping. This can be due to a variety of factors, including pain, noise, and anxiety.
One factor that can contribute to poor sleep in hospitals is the design of the hospital bed. Traditional hospital beds are often uncomfortable and difficult to adjust. This can make it difficult for patients to find a comfortable position to sleep in. In addition, traditional hospital beds are often noisy, which can also disrupt sleep.
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the scientific study of people and their working conditions, especially done to improve effectiveness. With the integration of ergonomics into hospital bed design, healthcare facilities can significantly enhance patient sleep, leading to improved outcomes and faster healing. In this article, we will understand the nitty-gritty and impact of ergonomics on patient sleep quality, supported by relevant facts and statistics.
Why ergonomics are important in hospital beds?
Ergonomic hospital beds are designed to improve patient comfort and sleep. They have features that make them more comfortable to sleep in, such as softer mattresses and adjustable headboards and footrests. Ergonomic hospital beds are also quieter than traditional hospital beds, which can help to improve sleep quality.
- Pressure Redistribution: Ergonomically designed hospital beds incorporate advanced pressure redistribution features, such as adjustable mattress firmness and air-filled sections. This technology helps alleviate pressure points, reducing the risk of bedsores and improving patient comfort during sleep. They redistribute pressure to reduce peak pressure points and help in chronic back pain.
- Adjustability and Positioning: Hospital beds with ergonomic features offer a wide range of adjustability, allowing patients to find their most comfortable sleep positions. By enabling personalized positioning, these beds help alleviate pain, reduce snoring, and prevent respiratory problems. Research conducted by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management revealed that adjustable beds significantly improve sleep quality and reduce sleep-related symptoms in hospitalized patients. An adjustable contour enables patients or healthcare workers to easily configure the bed in different positions (e.g., sitting, knee-raising, etc). A contour feature can reduce patient sliding (toward the bed foot) while beds are raised/lowered during the day, and this in turn can minimize the need to reposition patients in bed.
- Noise Reduction: Another crucial factor in promoting patient sleep is minimizing noise disturbances. Ergonomically designed hospital beds often incorporate noise-dampening technology, such as sound-absorbing materials and quiet motor systems. According to the Biomedical Instrumentation and Technology Journal research shows Noise in the work environment is linked to impaired quality of communication and an increased number of distractions during the task performance of healthcare professionals, thereby posing a risk to patient safety.
These studies suggest that ergonomic hospital beds can improve patient sleep quality and reduce pain, anxiety, and other symptoms. As a result, ergonomic hospital beds can help patients to recover more quickly and improve their overall health and well-being.
Facts and Statistics
- According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need an average of 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
- Sleep deprivation can lead to several health problems, including fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and impaired judgment.
- Ergonomic hospital beds can help to improve patient sleep quality and reduce pain, anxiety, and other symptoms.
- A study published in the journal “Sleep” found that patients who slept on an ergonomic hospital bed had better sleep quality than patients who slept on a traditional hospital bed.
Due consideration of ergonomic factors is highly essential in the design of hospital beds and furniture as well as the physical environment in a health care facility. Appropriate selection of specific design and its parameters will improve productivity and consequently contribute significantly to the reduction in related musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare givers and patients.
With facts and statistics supporting the benefits of ergonomic hospital beds, it becomes evident that investing in these innovative solutions is a worthwhile endeavor for healthcare institutions committed to providing the best possible care to their patients. As a healthcare organization, Midmark India believes in providing the best care experience. Check out our types of hospital beds for patients at home https://www.midmark.in/wardcare-solutions-2/