Hospital Bed Maintenance Checklist

Hospital beds are designed for the safe, comfortable occupation and transport of patients with diverse needs. Beds are built for ease of mobility. While an extraordinary tool, hospital beds must be handled carefully. 

To prevent accidents, hospital staff must be familiar with proper protocol, inspection must periodically occur, and regular safety and maintenance checks should be performed. In the content below, we provide a comprehensive hospital bed maintenance checklist. Of course, checklists may differ slightly with specific makes and models, but the principle is the same: regular maintenance is crucial to prevent unnecessary injury.

The following items apply to electric and manual hospital beds.

1. Hand-wash bed surfaces with a soft, moistened cloth. Avoid using harsh cleaners or soaps, only warm water and a mild detergent.
2. Wipe and dry the bed, ensuring that all extraneous detergent is removed to prevent buildup.
3. Understand and implement local policies regarding mattress cleaning.
4. Examine mattress cover surface for damage or stains. If either exists, contact infection control nurses. General cleaning procedure will not rectify serious soiling or micro-organism infections. The mattress may be permanently removed from use.
5. Check actuator screws, clevis pins hooking actuator tubes, Hi-Lo connecting tubes, and spring hooks – and apply grease.
6. Every two years, check rail shafts, nylon washers, and Hi-Lo mechanisms, and apply grease.
7. Inspect for excessive wear of oil-impregnated bronze shoulder spacers. These components can be found in the linkage of mattress support section and the Hi-Lo lever mechanism. If worn, replace the shoulder spacers.
8. Inspect and tighten (if applicable) all bolts, locknuts, and screws.
9. Ensure that siderails move and latch properly.
10. Ensure that foot support arm is entirely undamaged and works properly.
11. Ensure that head and foot boards are undamaged.
12. Check head end bumpers for security and damage.
13. Ensure the mattress cover is free from rips or cracks.
14. Check all casters for proper usage.
15. Check caster locking mechanism and tires for wear.
16. Ensure that the emergency hand crank works properly (if applicable).

The following items apply solely to electric beds.

1. Check Hi-Lo and lockout control switches for proper functioning.
2. Check that bed lowering using Hi-Lo switch works properly.
3. Ensure pendant control functions are working.
4. Ensure power cord is intact.
5. Look for wear or pinching in all cables.
6. Check electrical connections for security.
7. Ensure the ground is entirely secure to the frame.
8. Measure bed current leakage.
9. Measure ground impedance.

SVI Medical Equipment Lifting Systems

SVI Medical produces American-Made Hospital Bed Service Lifts for medical facilities in the USA and across the world. We understand the importance of regular hospital bed maintenance – and we are also familiar with the challenges accompanying this process. SVI provides bed service lifts designed to easily perform maintenance and regular service with ergonomic, efficient ease.

SVI’s hospital bed lifts include adjustable arm widths, positive engaging carriage safety locks, smooth chain over hydraulic cylinder lifting action, and more. Explore our hospital bed lifts in detail, or contact us today at (800) 321-8173 with any questions.