Hospital bedside chairs may be the most underrated hospital furniture accessory.
Walk into any hospital and you’ll notice certain things. Beds. Equipment. Personnel. But rarely do you think about…
Yep. Chairs.
Hospital bedside chairs have a surprisingly large impact on patient recovery. Hospitals are finally taking note.
The market for hospital furniture reached $33.15 billion in 2024 alone. Many hospitals are just starting to realize beds and chairs aren’t the only things patients spend time sitting and lying on during their recovery.
Why Hospital Chairs Impact Recovery Time
Alright, lets get right to it.
Patient recovery time is impacted by how comfortable they are. Period. Hospitals have come to realize investing in quality healthcare seating for hospitals is worth every penny.
One of the biggest factors in helping patients become mobile again is hospital bedside chairs. Whether you had surgery last week or are recovering from illness, one of the first milestones is sitting upright.
If you have an uncomfortable chair. Patients won’t want to sit up.
And that slows down recovery.
It goes like this…
- Patients don’t sit up due to discomfort
- Patients take longer to recover
- Nurses have to spend more time readjusting patients
- Patients are at a greater risk of developing pressure sores
When chairs are done right though? Patients love them. Recovery times are cut and hospitals begin to take notice.
Studies show that using adjustable chairs for patient recovery actually helped people be discharged faster than those who used beds alone. We’re talking significant improvements that add up when you have hundreds of patients a year.
Important Features Of Bedside Chairs
Not all hospital chairs are created equal.
In fact, the difference between an adequate chair and a quality recovery chair can mean night and day for your patients. Hospital chairs have come a long way in recent years.
Most important is ergonomic design. Chairs should support comfortable positioning for patients. Many folks who are getting mobile again have limited range of motion. Recovering from surgery is no joke.
It hurts.
If you’re in pain every time you sit down. You won’t want to sit in that chair. And that hurts your recovery time.
Here are features of hospital bedside chairs that make them good for recovery:
- Adjustable positioning so patients can find comfortable angles
- Pressure-relieving surfaces to prevent sore development
- Made of easily cleaned materials to ensure proper sanitation
- Sturdy arm rests to allow patients to push up on themselves
- Proper seat height to allow patients and nurses to easily lift patients
You’ll also notice many of the top chairs take caregiver needs into account. Chairs with lockable wheels and easy to access controls allow nurses to move and adjust chairs with minimal effort.
What To Look For In Hospital Chairs
Ok but how can you tell if your hospital bedside chairs are any good?
Look at how the chair is built. For the most part metal frame hospital furniture is the gold standard. Chairs are incredibly durable, easy to clean and sanitize, and can take a beating in a hospital environment.
Ask yourself these questions…
- Does the chair comfortably support most body types?
- Is the chair easy to clean between patients?
- Can the chair adjust to fit patient needs?
- Are the materials certified for clinical use?
- Can nursing staff easily move and change angles of the chair?
Technology is even starting to factor into hospital chair purchases. A recent study showed that over 52% of healthcare facilities are replacing their traditional seating options with automated or sensor-based furniture. Smart hospital chairs can detect if patients are in the correct position and notify nurses when readjustment is needed.
Seems excessive. But when you’re taking care of high-risk patients, its better to have that data and not need it. Than need it and not have it.
The Hidden Costs Of Cheap Chairs
Here’s a secret…
Cheap or poorly designed hospital bedside chairs end up costing you more money.
If you supply chairs that:
- Patients take longer to recover in they stay in the hospital longer. That costs money
- Patients develop pressure sores and need additional care
- Nurses are injured lifting chairs with unsafe design
- Patients start to give your hospital bad reviews because they were uncomfortable
Hospitals administrators are catching on. Recent studies have found that over 60% of hospital administrators plan on renovating or updating their hospital furniture in the next five years. Patient satisfaction and facility sustainability were two of the leading drivers of this change.
Simple math. Paying a little more for chairs now can save you money in the long run through better patient outcomes and less hospital acquired complications.
How To Assess Your Existing Furniture
Wondering if your hospital bedside chairs measure up?
Here’s what to look for…
Start by asking your patients. Are they complaining about soreness or discomfort? Do patients actually sit in the chairs you provide? If you’ve noticed patients avoiding your chairs like the plague. Thats not a good sign.
Next, look at how your nurses interact with the chairs. How often are nurses having to adjust a patient’s position? Is the chair difficult to clean or sanitize between patients? Do the chairs cause any injury to staff or patients when transferring in and out?
Last, look at how old your chairs are. Not too long ago the average hospital furniture replacement cycle was almost 10 years. Nowadays, with an increased focus on patient experience and hygiene, that number is much lower.
You want hospital bedside chairs that:
- Allow patients to begin mobilization as soon as possible
- Lower the risk of pressure injuries
- Are easy to clean and disinfect
- Meet the needs of a variety of patients
- Match your overall room design.
If your chairs fail any of these categories. You may want to consider an update.
Conclusion
Hospital bedside chairs matter more than most people realize.
They’re simple. But improving your chairs can have a huge impact on your facility. Here are the key points we talked about:
- Bedside chairs affect how quickly patients become mobile
- Features to look for include adjustable positioning and pressure relief
- Cheap chairs end up costing you in lost time and patient complications
- More than half of all healthcare facilities are investing in smart hospital chairs
- Evaluating your chairs should begin with patient and nurse feedback
Tiny details can sometimes have the biggest impact on patient care. Hospital bedside chairs are one of those details.
Improving them can help you improve your facility’s recovery times.
