Profile beds are a type of adjustable beds that have been designed specifically to aid people with limited mobility. Profile beds are split into sections that can be easily moved together or separately, either manually or electronically, and adjusted to meet the user’s needs.

Profile beds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, offering different functionality and specification options depending on the type of support the user needs. A Profile bed can be used at home, to enhance the comfort of your own bedroom, in a care home or in hospitals.

These beds are suitable for caretakers, who can move the patient more easily with electronic support or with manually adjusting the position of the different sides of the bed. But profiling beds can also be used by the patients themselves, to enhance their own comfort and provide them with more freedom of movement. Double profiling beds come with independent positioning options on each side to suit many different needs and preferences.

A care home or hospital profiling bed can make a world of difference in the lives of several categories of people:

• Elderly with limited mobility
• Disabled people
• Care home nurses and caretakers (studies have shown a reduction of 62% in the number of manual handling operations per patient)
• Accident victims who need a profiling bed for a limited period of time
• Patients recovering from major surgeries or procedures
• Anyone confined to a bed for more than a few days.

Profiling beds can improve the quality of life for the users and also make patient moving easier for their caretakers. Transfer and egress from bed are far easier, irrespective of the level of mobility of the patient. For people in long-term care, they are an ideal way to limit pressure ulcers, according to recent studies.

But not all profile beds are made equal. It’s essential to know their main features and options so you can choose the right one for you or for the people in your care. Let’s take a quick look at the essential features of profile beds.

These are a few of the benefits of hospital profiling beds. According to the type of care patients need, you can choose beds with all these features, or a combination of a few of them:

• Adjustable backrest: this is the most common feature of profiling beds and the one that makes the biggest difference. With adjustable backrest, patients can sit up easily and without outside help and socialise more comfortably. Moreover, the adjustable backrest can help with recovery, improving postural support and respiratory functions. Movement can be controlled with a manual pump for manual profiling beds or with a bedside handset that can be controlled by the patient or the medical staff, in the case of electric beds.

• Knee brake: located just behind the knees, the brake can prevent the patient from sliding down the bed by simply raising it. When the user is sitting up, it helps maintain a more natural position. The knee brake function also helps increase the circulation in the lower legs.

• Height adjustment: with a flexible height, transfers are made far more easily. Moreover, if a patient has the risk of falling out of bed, it helps if the bed is closer to the floor. You can simply lower the bed at night, thus reducing the possibility of injury.

Newer profiling beds come with more advanced features. These beds are almost always electric, which allows for easier use by the medical staff:

• Trendelenburg and anti-Trendelenburg (or reverse Trendelenburg) positioning: these positions are to be used only under medical supervision. They are designed to alleviate pressure, to help treat air embolism, to assist with the distension of the upper central veins, and more.

• Chair (Fowler) positioning: these profile beds allow the user to sit comfortably as they would in a chair -- the upper body is elevated and the legs are below the horizontal line.

• Rastofix: this option comes with a bracket for the manual adjustment of legs and to provide leg elevation when needed. Typically, this function is operated by the caretaker.

• Side rails: designed to prevent the user from falling out of the bed, side rails can come in many shapes and materials, including foam to prevent injury.

We provide a variety of electric medical profile beds that can be used in care homes and for care at home to help assist those who are elderly and disabled, as well as users with mobility problems.

When you work with NHC Group, our expertise is always at your service. We can help you choose the right hospital profile bed for your needs and advise you on buying the electric profile beds that don’t exceed your budget. Furthermore, you will get a turnkey service: the profiling beds, along with dozens of mattress choices, maintenance and servicing for them – all under the same roof.

We have a great range of electric medical beds in the UK available for pressure treatments, and many other therapies. We have been an established company since 2002, so you can trust us to make sure that you are getting a great deal on your profile bed.

Take a look below to see our full range of beds, and to find out more about the product, simply click the one you want to know more about. However, if you need any help figuring out which electric medical profile bed is right for you, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team of experts who would be more than happy to help with any questions you may have!