Profiling beds are electric care beds for elderly and disabled persons. They enable the operator to adjust the overall height of the bed as well as the backrest and legrest of the mattress platform. All electric adjustments are made through a handset control that can be used by the patient in the bed or by a carer/assistant.
In this buying guide, we explore the different types of profiling beds in the Opera® range and highlight all of the key considerations when buying a bed for use in a care home or for care at home.
The Functions of a Profiling Bed
Mattress platform
Backrest
The backrest is the upper section of the mattress platform which consists of one adjustable section that can be raised and lowered. The backrest function is used to sit the user up in bed or to reach a comfortable sleeping position.
Legrest/knee-break
The legrest is the lower section of the mattress platform and consists of two adjustable sections. A lifting motor raises the joint where the two sections meet, elevating the knees of the user. The feet section can also be raised using a manually adjusted ratchet.
Auto-Regression Profiling
This intelligent feature prevents compression in the stomach area when the bed is profiled by extending the mattress platform in correlation with the angles changing. Only available on the Opera Solo Collection.
Bed height and tilt
Height adjustment
Opera® profiling beds can be raised and lowered to assist mobility and facilitate caring for the user. The whole bed raises up and down within a certain range and can be stopped at any point during raising and lowering. There are three different height ranges, which are explained later on in this guide.
Trendelenburg
Most of the Opera® beds have a feature called Trendelenburg. This is where the whole bed can be tilted backwards (Trendelenburg) and forwards (Anti-Trendelenburg). These tilted positions are used primarily for medical conditions (e.g. where fluid needs to be drained from the feet) but are also used for comfort purposes.
Key Purchasing/Specifying Considerations
When specifying a profiling bed it's important to carefully consider the following elements:
Sizes
Width
All Opera® beds are available in a variety of widths to best suit your needs. You can choose from 2ft6, 3ft, 3ft6, 4ft, 5ft and even 6ft widths, depending on bed collection chosen.
For couples who require the height and mattress profiling of a hospital bed, our new dual profiling beds offer two independent adjustable mattress platforms.
Length
The mattress platform length of all Opera® beds is 6ft 6in (200cm). However, you need to bear in mind that when the backrest of the bed is raised, the user’s feet will be pushed towards the footboard of the bed. For taller users (6ft+), we recommend purchasing an Opera® bed extension kit which includes an extension section of mattress platform and extra long side rails. The extension kit extends the foot-end of the bed by 8in (20cm).
For more information on sizing and dimensions, please view: Dimensions of an Opera® Profiling Bed
Height range
All Opera® profiling beds are height adjustable, meaning the whole bed can be lowered and raised to assist with accessing the bed and nursing the user. There are three height ranges in the Opera® range of beds:
Standard height
This is the most common height range found in profiling beds. In its lowest position, the bed is a similar height to a normal divan bed at around 35-45cm from the floor to the top of the mattress platform (bed base). When fully raised, the bed reaches a nursing height. This is around 70-80cm from the floor to the top of the mattress platform and provides perfect access to the user of the bed for a carer/nurse. A nursing height is the equivalent of a carer’s waist level which means they do not have to bend over to perform nursing tasks such as dressing or washing the patient.
Low height
A low height bed can be lowered much closer to the floor than a standard height bed. Typically, low beds in their lowest position are 20-25cm measured from the floor to the top of the mattress platform. This provides a safe sleeping height for users at risk of falling from bed and also eases access for users who struggle to swing their legs into bed. However, this low height means that the height a low bed can be raised to is sacrificed. A low bed in its highest position is around 60-65cm from the floor to the top of the mattress platform, which is not deemed to be a height suitable for in-bed nursing.
All-in-one height
Opera have developed beds in the Opera® range that combine the height ranges of low and standard height beds into one extensive height range. This is called an all-in-one height range as the bed can be lowered to the equivalent height of of a low bed (15-25cm) and can be raised right up to a full nursing height (70-80cm). This means that users and carers get the benefits of two height ranges in one bed.
Side rails
Side rails are 2-bar full-length wooden rails that run along either side of the mattress platform and can be raised or lowered. In their drop-down/lowest position, they are below the top of the mattress and act as sides to the bed base with no obstruction to accessing the bed. In their raised position, the rails become evenly spaced barriers above the mattress that prevent the user from falling out of bed. The side rails are operated by a carer/assistant.
All Opera® profiling beds are either supplied with side rails as standard or they are an additional option. Providing the beds are used with a mattress that is no deeper than the specified limit, Opera® bed side rails comply with all measurements and strength tests laid out in the BS EN 60601-2-52:2010 medical beds standard.
Mattress depth capacity
When purchasing a bed with side rails, you need to be aware that the bed will only accommodate mattresses of up to a certain depth for the side rails to be effective. The BS EN 60601-2-52:2010 medical beds standard states that the distance from the top of the mattress to the top of the side rails must be at least 220mm. This means that if you purchase a mattress that is too deep for the bed, the distance from the top of the mattress to the top of the side rails will not be enough.
A typical community profiling bed would accommodate a 6″ deep mattress. This is acceptable for the majority of static/foam mattresses, however air-flow mattresses are 7″-10″ deep and would not be compatible. All Opera® beds accommodate mattresses of up to 8″ deep with some models accommodating mattresses up to 10″ deep.
Take a look at Opera’s Hospital Bed Range
The Opera® range
The Opera range of profiling beds is broken down into three Collections to help you identify the best bed for your needs. These are the Classic, Signature and Solo Collections.
Opera® Classic Profiling Beds
Two beds styles
Opera® Classic
The Opera® Classic is a practical bed with all functions required for nursing care. The bed is available with an unenclosed head and foot board for a lower cost alternative.
- Height range: Standard (40-80cm)
- Side rails: Included
- Size: 3ft wide
- Mattress depth capacity: 8″
Opera® Classic Low
The Opera® Classic Low is a low height version of the Opera® Classic. All functions and options are the same, it just has a low height range.
- Height range: Low (22-62cm)
- Side rails: Available with or without
- Size: 3ft wide
- Mattress depth capacity: 8″
Opera® Signature Profiling Beds
Five beds styles
Opera® Signature Low Footboard
The Opera® Signature Low Footboard is styled for residential environments with a low, minimalist footboard to provide unrestricted access and sight at the foot-end of the bed.
- Height range: All-in-one (24-73cm)
- Footboard sits lower than the mattress
- Size: 3ft, 3ft6 4ft wide
Opera® Signature Comfort
The Signature Comfort is the ultimate care bed for operators wanting to achieve a homely care environment. The bed has a fully upholstered surround with headboard and fabric options.
- Height range: All-in-one (24-73cm)
- Fully upholstered with a range of headboards
- Available in 3ft, 3ft6 and 4ft
Opera® Solo Profiling Beds
Two beds styles
Opera® Solo Profiling Bed
The Opera® Solo is the ultimate all-in-one nursing and floor bed designed to accommodate advanced care needs of individuals. The Solo features Anti-Trendelenburg tilting and auto-regression profiling to prevent stomach compression and ensure postural comfort.
- Lowers down to 11cm from the floor
- Raises to 73.5cm for nursing care
- Auto-regression profiling
- Suitable for Dementia users
Opera® Solo Comfort Profiling Bed
The Opera® Solo premium profiling bed is the ultimate all-in-one nursing and floor bed designed to accommodate advanced care needs of individuals. The Solo features Anti-Trendelenburg tilting and auto-regression profiling to prevent stomach compression and ensure postural comfort.
- Lowers down to 11cm from the floor
- Raises to 73.5cm for nursing care
- Headboard and fabric options
- Suitable for Dementia users
What sets Opera apart?
Opera® beds are well-known across both care homes and in care at home for offering something different from conventional nursing beds.
Key benefits of choosing Opera® include:
- Encompassing functionality for a variety of care needs.
- Complete peace-of-mind for care providers who care about regulation compliance.
- Elegant design that contributes to a homely care environment.
- Superior build quality backed by confident warranty terms.
- A choice of wood colours from stock and 200+ wood colours for bespoke orders.
- Developed and manufactured by Opera, a respected supplier with a rapid and robust delivery and installation network.
If you would like help choosing the right bed for you, our dedicated advisers are on hand to take your call on 0333 222 8584
