Most hospitals provide an area in each patient room specifically designated as a family zone, wherein family members and friends are permitted to stay, whether it be for a few hours 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. Sleeper chairs are often supplied so that friends and family can rest at the hospital when watching over their loved ones.
Types of Sleeper Chairs
Several styles of sleeper chairs and sofas are available.
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 have a small initial footprint, but the room must accommodate the larger footprint that the unit takes up when 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 used as a bed because it works via a flip-down back that is folded on top of the seat and then laid on.
Double Sleepers
Most commonly used in pediatric hospitals, double sleepers are provided for parents who want to stay in the hospital with their child. This type of hospital sofa bed is usually pull-out style but twice the size of the average sleeper.
Questions to Ask Before Selecting Sleeper Sofas and Chairs
What will the room truly accommodate? Be honest about how much space you have to work 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 a better option.
Are the walls protected? Many people don’t account for wall protection 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. To prevent scuffs on your patient room walls, opt for a sleeper with 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 where guests sit is separate from the space where guests will rest their heads to sleep.
Is storage needed? Caregivers can use storage underneath the sleeper to store pillows and blankets. It can also be a safe space for guests to keep 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.
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