Most hospitals provide an area in each patient room that is specifically designated as a family zone, wherein family members and friends are permitted to stay, whether it be for a short period of time or overnight. The family zone of a patient room is located farthest away from the door and usually includes comfortable furniture to keep guests content when they need to be in the room for long periods of time. Sleeper chairs are supplied so that friends and family can get a good night’s sleep at the hospital when watching over their loved ones.
Pull-Out Sleepers. Pull-out sleeper chairs look similar to club chairs and have a seat that pulls forward to extend into a bed. The benefit to this type of sleeping chair is that it has a small initial footprint and is usually portable for easy cleaning. However, be sure your patient rooms have enough space for this type of sleeper to pull out all the way without impeding caregivers while they work. Because the clearance for these convertible chairs is much greater extended than when it’s closed up, you’ll need to make sure that healthcare providers can move around the sleeper while it’s pulled out in bed form.
Side-Opening Sleepers. Side-opening sofa beds look similar to loveseats and contain a mattress that pulls out from the side, hence the name. Like pull-out sleepers in chair form, side-opening loveseat sleepers take up a small initial footprint, but room must be provided for the larger footprint that the unit takes up when being used as a bed.
Daybed Sleepers. Daybed sleepers look like sofas. This type of sleeper couch takes up no additional space in a room when being used as a bed because it works via a flip-down back which is folded on top of the seat and then used to lay on.
Double Sleepers. Most commonly used in pediatric hospitals, double sleepers are provided for parents who want to stay in the hospital during a child’s stay. This type of hospital sofa bed is usually pull-out style, but twice the size of the average sleeper.
Questions to ask yourself before selecting new sleeper sofas and chairs
What will the room truly accommodate? Be honest with yourself about how much space you have to work with in your patient rooms. You may prefer a pull-out sleeper, but if there isn’t enough clearance between the wall and the patient bed, a daybed sleeper could be your only option.
Are the walls protected? This is one of those things that many don’t account for when selecting new furniture. Because they’re used for long hours at a time by hospital guests, sleepers can get moved around in a rough manner if left unprotected. To prevent scuffs from showing up on your patient room walls, opt for a sleeper that has a wall saver backrest design.
How will it be cleaned? When it comes to furniture, there are few things in a healthcare facility that are more important than cleanliness. Most sleeper couches are upholstered in healthcare grade vinyl which is antimicrobial and a breeze to keep clean. You may also want to look for a unit with a lot of replaceable parts, as these can be disassembled for more thorough cleaning. Make sure that the space wherein guests will be sitting is separate from the space wherein guests will be resting their heads to sleep.
Is storage needed? Storage underneath the sleeper can be used for caregivers to store pillows and blankets. It can also act as a safe spot for guests to keep purses and other personal belongings. Some patient rooms may already have space for these purposes, but if yours don’t then choosing sleepers with built-in storage is probably the best option.
Want more information on what type of sleeper chair or sofa is best for your medical facility? Call our healthcare furniture experts today at (800) 558-1010 or shop our full selection of sleepers here.
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