What Are Hospital Beds Called?

When you hear the term "hospital bed," you might picture those special beds in hospital rooms that can move up and down. That’s right! But did you know they’re also called other names depending on where they’re used?

In hospitals, they’re almost always called "hospital beds." But if someone is being cared for at home or in a nursing home, people might call them medical beds, patient beds, homecare beds, or nursing care beds. These names are all used to talk about the same kind of bed, it just depends on where it is and who’s using it.

These beds are made to help patients feel more comfortable and to make it easier for nurses or caregivers to take care of them. They usually have features like rails on the side and parts that move to raise the head or legs.

Now, some things look like hospital beds but aren’t quite the same. For example, stretchers, trolleys, and gurney beds are used to move patients around, like in emergencies, but they’re not made for someone to stay in for a long time. There’s also something called a Gatch bed, which is an older kind of hospital bed that you adjust by hand. You might still find these in some rehab centers.

Even the U.S. government’s health experts, like the FDA, always use the term "hospital bed" when talking about rules and safety. Even if a bed has special features, like a motor to move it or a design to keep patients from falling out, it’s still called a hospital bed.

Sometimes, people use terms like "hi-low bed" or "Trendelenburg bed" to describe how the bed moves or tilts. But those are still types of hospital beds, just with extra features.

So, in short, "hospital bed" is the main name, but depending on where the bed is or how it’s used, people might call it something else. What’s most important is what the bed does: it helps keep patients safe, comfortable, and easier to care for.

Types of Hospital Beds and What They're Called?

Hospital beds come in many forms, and each type serves a specific purpose based on the patient’s needs, setting, and medical condition. While all of them are designed with comfort and care in mind, their names often reflect how they work or what they’re used for. Let’s break them down in a way that’s simple and clear, while reflecting both global standards and practical insights from real healthcare use.

Based on How the Bed Is Powered

These categories reflect how a bed is adjusted and the level of caregiver effort involved.

 

Manual beds are more physically demanding but economical. Semi-electric beds offer cost-effective comfort. Fully electric beds are most convenient, especially in long-term or critical care.

Based on Patient Needs or Functionality

These names describe what the bed is designed for or the type of care it supports.

 

Each bed's function ties directly to the patient’s condition. For example, ICU beds support emergency response, pediatric beds offer child-safe features, and Trendelenburg beds help manage certain clinical conditions.

Based on Section Adjustability (Common in India and Asia)

In some regions, beds are categorized by how many sections are adjustable:

• Plain Bed: No adjustable sections, flat surface. Basic care only.
  
• Semi-Fowler Bed: Adjustable backrest for semi-sitting position (up to 45°). Helpful for breathing or heart patients.
  
• Fowler Bed: Adjustable back and knee rest, offering full sitting and reclined positions. More comfortable for immobile or postpartum patients.
  
• Multi-function Bed: Combines features like Trendelenburg tilt, CPR modes, and head or knee lift, often paired with full-electric control.
  

This breakdown is often used in Indian healthcare markets, reflecting real-life usage terminology on the ground.

Other Specialized Hospital Beds

• Gatch Bed: An older, manual 3-section bed, still used in some rehab or long-term facilities.
  
• Smart Bed: Includes sensors for vitals, alarms, and EHR connectivity, common in modern hospitals.
  
• Homecare Bed: Any hospital-style bed adapted for home use, usually electric and user-friendly.
  
• Rehabilitation Bed: Includes bars, controls, and mobility supports for post-surgery patients.
  
• MRI-Compatible Bed: Made of non-magnetic materials to allow safe imaging.
  
• Pressure-Relief Bed: Uses air or gel mattresses to prevent bedsores, ideal for immobile patients.
  
• Transport Beds (Stretchers or Gurneys): Lightweight and mobile, used for short-term patient transfer in ERs and ambulances.
  
• Hybrid Beds: Combine operating table features with patient comfort, seen in surgical suites.

Some Clarifications on Hospital Beds

• Not every movable bed is a hospital bed. Stretchers and gurneys are for transport, not rest.
  
• Names like "hi-low bed" or "Trendelenburg bed" describe functionality, not separate types.
  
• Terms vary by region, for example, "semi-Fowler" is more commonly used in Asia, while the U.S. focuses more on power mechanisms.
  

Whether it’s called a hospital bed, medical bed, homecare bed, or nursing bed, the purpose is the same: to offer support, safety, and comfort. What truly matters is matching the right bed to the patient's medical condition, mobility needs, and care setting.

What Makes a Hospital Bed Different from a Regular Bed?

At first glance, a hospital bed and a regular bed might look the same. They both let you rest and sleep. But they are actually made for very different reasons. Hospital beds are made to help doctors and nurses care for people who are sick or need special attention. Regular beds are made mostly for comfort and home use. Let’s break down the differences in a way that’s easy to understand.

 

How Do They Adjust?

Hospital beds can move in many ways. You can raise the head, the feet, or the whole bed up or down. Some can even tilt the whole bed at an angle. This helps with breathing, eating, or getting in and out safely. Regular beds don’t do this, unless you buy a special adjustable one, and even those can’t do everything a hospital bed can.

Safety First

Hospital beds are built to protect the person using them. They often have side rails to stop someone from falling out. Some even have alarms that let caregivers know when someone tries to get out of bed. These features are very helpful for older people or those who can’t move well. Regular beds don’t come with any of this.

Moving the Bed Around

Hospital beds have wheels, so you can move them around a room or even to another room. This helps a lot when cleaning or helping the person in bed. Regular beds stay in one place because they’re not made to move around easily.

Can It Hold Medical Tools?

Yes, hospital beds can hold things like IV poles, monitors like Patient Monitor or Anesthesia Monitor or Blood Pressure Monitors, or special tables that go over the bed. Regular beds don’t have any space or tools for this, so they aren’t great for someone who needs full-time care.

Mattress Matters

Hospital bed mattresses are not like normal ones. They’re made to help people who lie in bed all day. They help stop pressure sores and are easy to clean. Regular mattresses are soft and comfy but aren’t made for medical care.

Easy to Clean

Hospital beds are made with strong materials that can be cleaned every day with hospital-grade cleaners. Regular beds might have wood or fabric that could get damaged with strong cleaning products.

Price and Rules

Hospital beds can be expensive, especially the electric ones or ICU models. But sometimes insurance or Medicare can help pay for them. Regular beds are usually less expensive, but you pay for them yourself. Also, hospital beds have to follow special safety rules. Regular beds follow normal safety rules, but not the strict medical ones.

At AngelUS Medical, you can shop hospital bed mattresses and full bed systems at significantly lower prices compared to market averages, including refurbished options from trusted brands like Drive Medical, Hillrom, and Accumax. We inspect every unit for performance and safety, offering cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.

For Use at Home

Some hospital beds are made for use at home. They have the safety and medical features but are designed to look nicer, kind of like furniture. These are great for long-term home care.

Hospital beds and regular beds are made for different reasons. If someone needs care at home, a hospital bed is often the safer and smarter choice. Regular beds are good for sleep, but they don’t have the features needed for medical help.

What Are ICU Beds Called?

ICU beds are special hospital beds made for people who are very sick and need constant medical care. The most common name for them is ICU beds, but you might also hear people call them critical care beds or intensive care beds. These names all mean the same thing, they're just different ways to talk about beds used in intensive care units (ICUs).

Common Names You Might Hear

• ICU Bed - The most common name used in hospitals.
  
• Critical Care Bed - A term that shows the bed is for patients needing serious medical attention.
  
• Intensive Care Bed - Similar to ICU bed, just a longer way to say it.
  
• High-Acuity Bed - Used for patients who need a lot of support and care.
  
• Advanced Care Bed - Points to beds with more features and technology.
  

These names help doctors, nurses, and hospital staff quickly understand what kind of care the bed is designed for.

What Makes ICU Beds Different?

ICU beds have special features that help both the patient and the medical team. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Remote Controls - Move the head, legs, or raise or lower the bed easily.
  
• CPR Mode - Makes the bed flat fast in emergencies.
  
• Heart-Friendly Chair Setting - Helps patients sit up in a way that supports their heart.
  
• Tilting Features - Also known as Tilt tables Lets the bed lean backward or forward to help with blood flow or breathing.
  
• Built-In Scale - Weighs the patient without needing to move them.
  
• X-ray Ready - Some beds let doctors take X-rays without lifting the patient.
  
• Safety Rails - Keep the patient safe and also hold medical equipment.
  

These features help doctors give better care and keep the patient safe and comfortable.

Different Types of ICU Beds

Some ICU beds are made for specific kinds of patients:

• PICU Beds - For kids who need serious medical care.
  
• NICU Beds - For newborn babies, often with incubators.
  
• SICU Beds - For patients who just had surgery.
  
• TICU Beds - For people recovering from big injuries like car accidents.
  
• Burn ICU Beds - Made for patients with burns, with extra features to stop infections.
  

Even though these beds are used in different ways, they all fall under the ICU bed family.

Well-Known ICU Bed Brands

Here are some popular ICU beds that hospitals use:

• Hillrom Progressa - Easy to move and packed with smart features.
  
• Stryker InTouch - Great for patient monitoring and safety.
  
• Procare Seven-Function Bed - Can tilt, sit the patient up, and more.
  
• Chattanooga ICU Beds - Reliable and often used in critical care areas.
  

No matter what you call them, ICU bed, critical care bed, or intensive care bed, they all do the same important job: helping people in serious condition get the best care possible. These beds aren’t just for resting, they’re part of the life-saving process.

Common Names for Hospital Beds

There are many names people use to talk about hospital beds. Some depend on where the bed is used, like in a hospital, at home, or in a nursing center. But all these names refer to beds made to help people who need medical care.

Here’s a list of common and alternate names:

• Hospital bed
  
• Medical bed
  
• Patient bed
  
• Care bed
  
• Nursing bed
  
• Homecare bed
  
• Home hospital bed
  
• Nursing care bed
  
• Healthcare bed
  
• Hospital cot
  
• Adjustable bed
  
• Manual hospital bed
  
• Electric hospital bed
  
• Semi-electric hospital bed
  
• Bariatric bed (also called heavy-duty or wide-bed)
  
• Pediatric bed (also called child hospital bed)
  
• ICU bed (also known as critical care bed or intensive care bed)
  
• Birthing bed (also called labor & delivery bed)
  
• Recovery bed
  
• Therapeutic bed (like pressure-relief or air beds)
  
• Gatch bed
  
• Rotation bed (also called turning or rotating bed)
  
• Transport bed (like a stretcher, gurney, or hospital trolley)
  

These names help doctors, nurses, and families know what kind of bed someone needs depending on their health and where they’re being cared for.

Note: Some words like "gurney" or "trolley" are used for moving patients around, not for resting or sleeping. Others, like "adjustable bed," are often used at home but still help with care. All of these are important parts of patient support.