Medical beds come in two types—electric bed and manual bed (crank-operated)—with different operating methods:
I. Electric Multifunctional Nursing Bed
Locate the handheld controller (wired remote) at the head or side of the bed;
Find the buttons on the panel for lowering the bed surface or the entire bed (usually labeled “Bed Lowering ↓” or “Overall Lowering”);
Press and hold the lowering button; the bed will descend slowly. Release the button once the desired height is reached;
Note:
The bed stops automatically at its lowest limit; do not continue holding the button;
Inform the patient before lowering the bed while they are lying on it to prevent dizziness or slipping.
II. Manual Crank-Operated Bed
There are 1 to 3 retractable cranks on the side of the bed:
Pull out the crank located beneath the bed frame (the one controlling the overall bed height);
Turn the crank counter-clockwise to slowly lower the entire bed frame; turn clockwise to raise it;
Once the height is adjusted, push the crank back into its storage slot to prevent accidental bumps or tripping.
III. Lowering Only the Head or Foot Section
Electric remote: Select the “Head Section Lowering” or “Leg Section Lowering” buttons to independently adjust the angle of the upper body or lower limbs.
Manual bed: Use the specific cranks designated for the head and foot sections; turn the crank to flatten or lower that section.
Safety Tips
Adjust the bed slowly for bedridden elderly individuals or patients to prevent dizziness caused by orthostatic hypotension;
After lowering the bed to the lowest position, remember to lock the wheel brakes to prevent sliding;
If the electric bed malfunctions and won’t lower: Most beds feature an emergency manual lowering mechanism. Locate the emergency release valve on the side of the bed frame; activating it allows you to manually press the bed down.
Why won’t the medical bed lower?
I. Electric multi-function beds (most common) – Troubleshooting steps
1) Operation / Safety lock issues (most frequent cause!)
Control panel lock (nurse lock)
Many beds feature a function lock; when the nurse lock is engaged, the raise/lower functions are disabled. Look for the icon on the remote/handset; you must unlock it to operate the bed.
Accidental activation of the emergency stop button
If the red emergency stop button (located under the bed or on the controller) has been pressed, all movements are disabled. Rotate the button to reset it.
Distinguishing between function buttons
Pressing “Headrest Lower” is not the same as lowering the entire bed height; ensure you press the “Lower Entire Bed” button.
2) Power supply issues
Power cord disconnected, no power at the outlet, or plugged into a faulty power strip; try plugging directly into a wall outlet.
Power-off reset: Unplug the power, wait 60 seconds, and plug it back in to reset the electronic control system.
Built-in backup battery depleted; operation is impossible during a power outage.
3) Obstruction by foreign objects (very common)
Crouch down and check the underside of the bed frame:
Bed sheets, IV tubing, mattress corners, side rails, or debris caught between the upper and lower bed frames can trigger the obstacle protection mechanism, preventing lowering. Clear the obstruction and try again.
4) Mechanical and hardware faults
Lower limit switch failure or jamming
Beds have a minimum height limit; if the limit sensor is jammed by dust or displaced, the system may mistakenly believe the bed has reached its lowest point and refuse to lower further.
Electric actuator (motor) failure
Pressing the “Lower” button produces only a humming or faint clicking sound, but the bed does not move → The actuator is damaged, or the lead screw is jammed.
Motor overheat protection
After frequent raising and lowering, the motor may overheat and automatically lock; let it cool for 20–30 minutes before trying again.
5) Handset / Wiring damage
Broken internal wiring or malfunctioning buttons in the handset; try testing with a spare handset.
II. Manual crank beds (hand-cranked) – Won’t lower
Wrong crank selected or not fully inserted
The three cranks control: overall height adjustment, backrest elevation, and leg elevation. Insert the crank handle for bed height adjustment and ensure it is fully seated. Turn counter-clockwise to lower the bed.
Mechanical obstruction or jamming
Bed sheets or debris caught in the under-bed frame; rust causing the mechanism to seize.
Internal worm gear rusted or lacking lubrication
Crank feels heavy or spins freely without moving the bed (indicates gear wear/slippage); stop cranking immediately.
Hydraulic beds: Pressure relief valve malfunction
Hydraulic beds rely on pressure release to lower; if the valve core is clogged with dirt, pressure cannot release, preventing the bed from lowering.
III. General Quick Self-Check Procedure (Recommended sequence)
Verify: Nursing lock is disengaged, emergency stop button is released, and the correct lowering button/crank is being used.
Check under the bed: Remove any objects obstructing the bed frame’s movement.
Electric models: Power cycle (unplug and replug) and test; try a different power outlet.
Listen for sounds:
Motor hums when lowering button is pressed but bed doesn’t move → Mechanical jam or actuator failure.
No sound at all → No power, faulty hand control, or electronic control failure.
IV. Emergency Procedures
Electric beds: Most bed motors feature an emergency manual release or hand-crank mechanism (located under the rubber cap at the rear of the motor). Refer to the manual to lower the bed slowly and steadily to prevent sudden dropping.
Manual hydraulic beds: Locate the manual pressure release screw on the hydraulic cylinder and slowly release the pressure.
If you do not know how to operate the emergency mechanism, do not attempt to disassemble it; contact the hospital’s equipment department or maintenance personnel immediately.
V. Stop use immediately and report for repair if the following occur
Bed still fails to lower after clearing obstructions, unlocking, and resetting power.
Abnormal noises, sparks, or a burning smell during operation.
Crank spins freely, or controls respond but the bed does not move at all.
What is the ideal height for a hospital bed?
I. When the patient is preparing to get out of bed or move independently
Ideal height: 42–50 cm
Criteria: The patient sits on the edge of the bed with both feet planted firmly and flat on the floor; the hip joints should be slightly higher than the knees.
Short stature / Elderly / Short legs: 40–44 cm
Average adult: 44–48 cm
Tall stature: 48–52 cm
High fall-risk patients (dementia, frailty, post-operative instability): Adjust the bed to its lowest setting to minimize the impact of a potential fall.
II. During nursing care by nurses or family members
Ideal height: 60–68 cm
Corresponds to a comfortable working height for the average person’s waist, preventing lumbar muscle strain caused by prolonged bending;
Must be lowered back to the patient’s safe height after the procedure; do not keep the bed in the high position for extended periods.
III. Transfer between bed and wheelchair
Ideal height: 45–50 cm (level with the wheelchair seat cushion or 2–3 cm lower)
Facilitates lateral transfer, reduces physical exertion, and prevents slipping.
Additional industry reference standards
Common height adjustment range for standard multi-functional medical beds in China: Lowest ~40 cm; Highest 65–72 cm
Ultra-low beds (designed to prevent falls): Lowest setting can be 25–30 cm; often used in geriatrics or for ICU patients experiencing delirium
National standard reference for fixed-height beds (older, non-adjustable models): 60–65 cm
Easy-to-remember mnemonic
Raise to 60+ cm for nursing tasks to make work easier;
Adjust to 42–50 cm when the patient is in bed or preparing to get out;