Starke Hospital Invests in New Patient Beds

3/10/2017

Knox, Ind. – When you’re sick, nothing feels better than a comfortable bed. Patients admitted to Starke Hospital are now experiencing a new level of comfort and safety since the hospital invested in new hospital beds for the second floor medical/surgical unit.

The 12 new beds and mattresses – a $96,000 investment – offer a high-tech advantage over traditional hospital beds, and improve patient comfort and safety.

“The features of these beds are advanced, including side rails that offer different support positions for patients while they are getting in and out of bed, and awareness monitors that let us know how the patient is positioned in the bed at any given time,” said Janet Gillon, director of inpatient nursing at Starke Hospital. “The way the beds are designed also reduces the chances of patients slipping down to an uncomfortable position, so we find ourselves needing to boost patients up in bed less often.”

Gillon said the new gel-type mattresses are more comfortable for patients because they are pressure-sensitive, which reduces the possibility of skin breakdown.

“Starke Hospital has an exceptional safety record when it comes to falls and pressure ulcers. The new beds will just reinforce these best practices that we already have in place, and provide a safe, more comfortable stay for our patients,” Gillon said.

Hospital staff have found the beds to be easier to operate, and more functional as well. They are easier to clean, and have more convenient foot controls so nurses and caregivers don’t have to bend as much or move equipment around to access the bed controls.

The bed purchase marks the first major investment in hospital equipment since the new high-tech CT scanner, which was installed in 2015.

Starke Hospital nurses Brigitte Tholl, RN (left) and Carrie Starke, RN, orient themselves to the new patient beds, with side rails that make it easier for patients to get in and out of bed.

The mission of Starke Hospital is to improve the health of our patients and communities.

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