Written by Mike Price, OT
For over 100 years the name Joerns name has meant quality. The company that would become Joerns Healthcare was once Joerns Brothers Furniture -- selling high-end bedroom and dining room furniture. In the 1950’s, the company began working in healthcare by making hi-low hospital beds. By offering stylish furniture they were able to offer a counterpoint to available clinical furniture which was more utilitarian-- this especially gave Joerns an edge in the nursing home market.
Today, amazingly, Joerns Healthcare is a multinational healthcare manufacturer with over 100 years of experience. They specialize in hospital beds for use in many settings, as well as top-of-the-line patient lifts. In fact, Hoyer brand lifts are manufactured by Joerns. Hoyer lift tends to be a term people sometimes use to generally refer to patients lifts, but Joerns makes the real deal.
Today, Joerns Healthcare is offering more than high-quality medical equipment-- they have branched out into data consulting with end-to-end predictive analytics. We’ll look at some of the specific solutions that they offer and offer some product recommendations below.
 | Portable Overhead Lift Track for Hoyer Ceiling Lifts by Joerns View Product |
Studies have shown that a key factor for positive patient outcomes is early mobilization. Of course, manually moving patients can be dangerous depending on individual circumstances. Here’s where patient transfer systems come into play. A ceiling lift is a stationary patient lifting unit mounted onto a fixed motion track for lateral movement. For instance, a ceiling lift might pick a patient up out of a seated position and then move them along a track into a bathtub, all while controlling height to clear the edge of the tub safely.
Ceiling lifts are being seen more and more in long-term care facilities, children’s hospitals, and other acute care settings. That is not to say, however, that this type of lift is not suited toward aging-in-place or home recovery solutions. For use outside of clinical settings, a gantry installation is a more affordable and less permanent choice. A gantry is basically a frame that can support the lift and provide lateral movement typically reserved for an installed track. In some locations, a traditionally installed ceiling lift won’t be a possibility-- this is where a gantry lift can fill in the gaps.
 | Hoyer Advance Portable Folding Patient Lift by Joerns Healthcare View Product |
A standard Hoyer lift is more portable when compared to ceiling-mounted lifting systems. These lifts are used frequently in hospital settings to move a patient from bed to a wheelchair, seat, or toilet. It bears mentioning that Hoyer lifts require caregiver assistance to be operated and moved. That being said, the ease of operation of these patient sling lifts can greatly reduce caregiver strain or the repetitive motion injury sometimes sustained by clinical professionals.
Important features to consider include the choice between power and manual lifts. Manual lifts are hydraulic, so they require a bit more effort from the caretaker. That being said, they are more affordable than power lifts. Hoyer models all come with intuitive push pad assists for initiating motion and a battery/control pack on the central mast.
One major plus for traditional Hoyer floor lifts is that they are portable. Whether that means using the lift in multiple rooms of the house or taking the lift with you on trips or for easy set up during a move.
Sit-to-stand (STS) mobility is a necessary activity in daily life. Naturally, STS is a precursor for general movement including transfers, ambulation, and navigating steps or stairs. A sit-to-stand lift is a highly specialized type of lift designed to help patients who still have some mobility, but need help with transitioning from seated positions to standing.
When compared to a full-size floor lift, STS lifts are much more nimble. These devices have smaller bases than a Hoyer and can be wheeled right up to where the patient is seated. From there, the patient’s upper body is supported with straps or a harness, and their knees are securely braced to prevent falling forward. As the lift elevates the upper body, the lower body remains secure and a standing posture can be achieved.
In a study of the rehabilitation of stroke patients, STS assistive training was shown to have a positive effect on mobility recovery speed.
 | Full Electric Hospital Bed for Maximum User Comfort - EasyCare by Joerns View Product |
Joerns has been manufacturing hospital beds since the 1950s. It is important to note, also, that Joerns was making quality furniture even before then. By marrying form and function, Joerns Healthcare is able to create beautiful and fully adjustable hospital beds for use in clinical settings or in the home.
For seniors who want to remain in their homes, or for patients who have more extensive homecare needs, a hospital bed is a must-have. The main attraction is height adjustment options. This can positively influence patient autonomy and make a big difference for caretaker strain. By having a bed that can be raised to a proper height for caregiving, providers avoid needing to bend over to help the patient.
Easy-to-use electric controls allow the patient or user to adjust the bed themselves. This is key in empowering patients who have some mobility and want more freedom. Beyond a simple height adjustment, most hospital beds are actually articulated at the knee and headboard as well for maximum comfort.
 | Joerns Bariatric Healthcare Bed System View Product |
For bariatric patients, who may be bed-bound or largely confined to their bed, having a comfortable supportive place to rest is extremely important. For patients or caretakers who are in need of additional support, a bariatric hospital bed is a great place to start. These beds typically have many of the desirable features of a traditional hospital bed, but they also boast impressive weight ratings.
In the home, these beds can greatly assist with ADLs and general caretaking. By having a bed rated up to 750lbs that can lower from working height to a safe distance from the floor, patients can rest easy knowing they have plenty of support. Padded side rails are another great feature to consider for extra security and assistance during transfer.
This model from Joerns actually features adjustable bed frame width. This is a great consideration for home use because it actually allows these larger format beds to be adjusted to fit through a doorway.
 | BariMatt 1000 Plus Expandable Bariatric Therapeutic Support Surface View Product |
When considering a hospital bed, it is also important to consider the mattress you want to use. While non-medical mattresses may technically fit the bed frame, they will most likely be lacking in important areas. First of all, hospital mattresses are designed to adjust right along with the foot and head sections of a hospital bed. This is important if being able to elevate the head or feet is a requirement.
Beyond positional concerns, extended periods spent prone in bed bring up the risk of pressure ulcers. Especially in a traditional mattress, bedsores can become infected and lead to further complications. Hospital mattresses are specially designed to prevent the formation of pressure ulcers by using high-grade foam materials to disperse body weight.
This model from Joerns actually goes one step further, as it is specifically designed to alleviate up to stage 1 pressure ulcers. While it would be ideal to avoid bedsores altogether, having a supportive mattress to facilitate the healing process is also important.
For even more sensitive support, a multi-chamber alternating pressure mattress could be a good choice. These mattresses have air pressurized chambers - called therapy cells - that evenly distribute support depending on where the patient needs it most. These APMs are another ward against bedsores and can also provide treatment and relief for those suffering from pressure ulcers or other wounds. This style of hospital bedding provides the highest level of control for patients who need custom-tailored support.
Features to look out for include antimicrobial coatings or treatments, safety rails, and easy-to-use controls. The model listed below has 3 unique features to assist the patient and caregiver. First, there is an ‘autofirm’ mode, which provides even support for patient transfer. Next, there is a ‘Therapy’ mode in which the therapy cells automatically fill to accommodate the shape and pressure of the user's body. Finally, there is ‘Alternate mode’ which cycles a support pattern so that no one area of the body is under direct pressure for long.
Not many companies can boast over 100 continued years of business. Certainly, Joerns Healthcare has come quite a long way from the days of Joerns Brothers Furniture, but a dedication to quality has remained. Now Joerns is a major force in the healthcare sector. They operate in over 120 clinical service locations, with over 100,000 items in use, and more than 600 delivery vehicles. They offer world-class support and service for their beds and patient lifts.
Joerns Healthcare believes that getting into bed at the end of a long day shouldn’t be a struggle. Moreover, relaxing in bed shouldn’t cause stress or discomfort. To that end, they offer some remarkable products that help folks get into -- and out of -- bed. They’ve also made some products that make the unique challenges that come along with staying in bed a little bit easier.
If you need a specialized patient lift or hospital bed for home or institutional use, please take a look at RehabMart’s list of Joerns Products for sale.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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