We will be focusing on extending the lifespan of rental equipment; whether the rental is for an extended period of time or for a very short amount of time, we encourage treating rental medical equipment with respect. When you rent medical equipment, you want it to operate flawlessly. Every time. Users who rent equipment for a short duration tend to think, “it’s only going to be used for one week.” That mentality results in damaged parts and additional charges.
Here is reality: all rentals—including those rented for a mere 72 hours – require some form of maintenance. Treating rental medical equipment with respect saves you money and ultimately promotes safety for everyone involved in using it. Below is information regarding how to properly maintain two of the most commonly rented medical devices—the lift chair and the hospital bed for home use in GTA. There will also be specific suggestions regarding proper care for a hospital bed rental for short term. Let’s start.
Why short-term rentals fail more quickly
Users of short-term rentals often fail to follow the quick start instructions. They speed through setting up the device. They disregard their body weight. As a direct result, damage occurs much quicker than expected.
Rental companies anticipate that customers will only perform the most basic level of maintenance. Even if you do not own the equipment, you should still take reasonable care of it. Treat a two day rental as you would a two year purchase. This will greatly increase the length of time that the equipment lasts.
Common maintenance requirements for all medical rental equipment
There are five things that you should always follow when renting medical equipment. These apply to both lift chairs and hospital beds.
Read the quick start guide—many times damage occurs due to improper assembly of the equipment.
- Inspect prior to use—check for dents, loose screws, or unusual noises in operation.
- Maintain cleanliness—dirt and liquids destroy moving parts very rapidly.
- Be aware of maximum capacity/weight limits—always verify the weight limits before placing someone onto the equipment.
- Notify the rental company immediately if there is any problem—small issues usually grow into large problems during repair.
Also, place the equipment in a dry area. Wet conditions promote moisture which can lead to rust of metal components, and humidity, which can damage electronic components.
Protecting your lift chair (short term rental)
Lift chairs allow users to safely stand up. However, abuse to the motor causes it to malfunction. Unfortunately, many short-term renters force the mechanisms of their lift chairs. Don’t.
- Daily lift chair maintenance
- Don’t sit on arm rests – this creates a permanent bend in the frame of the chair.
- Always lower the chair fully before allowing anyone to exit – the gears inside the mechanism can be severely damaged by exiting from a raised position.
- Never put a remote on the ground – rollers will flatten cable connections.
- Immediately wipe away spills – liquids damage control boxes.
Finally, don’t ever try to push a lift chair while it is in a reclined position. Wheels will drag and motors will fight against movement. Rather, raise the chair back into an upright position before attempting to move it.
Between Rentals (extended periods)
At times a short-term hospital bed rental becomes a longer rental. For example, you may choose to keep the lift chair for two more weeks. At that point, you must perform routine maintenance checks on the equipment:
- Test the lift mechanism at least twice daily.
- Listen for grinding noise from the mechanism
- .Verify that both sides of the chair rise equally.
- Vacuum underneath the seat at least once per week.
By taking these actions, you will help ensure that your extended rental remains safe and that the rental company will appreciate your efforts as well.
Increasing the lifespan of hospital bed for home use in GTA rentals
Hospital beds for home use in GTA face numerous risks at home. first, homes typically contain carpeted floors, pets, and tight doorways. Second, many short-term renters either ignore these obstacles or fail to consider their potential impact upon the functionality and longevity of their rentals.
- Setup errors to avoid on hospital beds for home use in GTA rentals
- Many short-term renters rush through setup. Thus, they create beds that are unstable or subject their motors to undue stress.
- Do not force bed rails into alignment—move them into alignment carefully.
- Keep cords clear—cords tangled together can overheat electrical components.
- Level the bed frame—an uneven surface will warp the bed frame.
- Lock castors completely—movement caused by unlocked castors will scratch flooring surfaces.
In addition, make sure that the mattress fits snugly on the bed. A mattress that is too small will slide around causing friction that increases wear and tear on the bed frame.
Tips for using a hospital bed rental for short term
Although a hospital bed rental for short term has limited usage, it still requires daily inspection and upkeep. Below are some general guidelines to adhere to:
- Only raise/lower the bed when absolutely necessary – raising/lowering the bed excessively can cause excessive wear and tear on mechanical components.
- Do not place heavy objects such as storage bins or suitcases under the bed – heavy objects placed under the bed can cause structural damage to the bed frame.
- Keep track of where you placed the remote control – remote controls left unattended can be lost or damaged and can cause mechanical failure of the bed.
- Replace bed linens without yanking them – yanking linen onto/out of the mattress can cause damage to mechanical components such as gears, etc.
- Wipe down side rails after each meal – food particles and stains on railings can contribute to structural integrity issues in mechanical components.
- Watch for pinch points – pinch points are areas within mechanical components where Fingers/clothing can become trapped resulting in rapid stoppage and mechanical failure.
Cleaning rental hospital bed equipment
Proper cleaning of your rental hospital bed is crucial in maintaining its functionality. Failure to regularly clean various parts of your rental hospital bed can result in sticky buttons/squeaky hinges/motor failure. Therefore, below are several steps you can follow to properly clean your rental hospital bed:
- Use mild soap and water only – bleach solutions and harsh chemicals can damage electrical/electronic components.
- Avoid spraying bleach solutions anywhere close to electrical components – electrical components may be damaged by exposure to bleach solutions.
- Thoroughly dry all metal parts – excessive moisture/humidity can cause rust/damage to metal components.
- Disinfect hand controls daily – bacterial/fungal growth on hand controls can reduce effectiveness/cause mechanical failure.
- Do not submerge any component in water/liquids – exposing components to excessive amounts of water can result in mechanical failure or damage beyond repair.
- Special section: properly transferring/rearranging rental equipment
- Transferring/rearranging rental medical equipment can be hazardous. Additionally,
Short-term renters tend to transfer/rearrange rental medical equipment frequently throughout their rental period. Examples include transferring equipment from one location in their house to another or from their house to an event venue.
Safe transfer methods for lift chairs/hospital beds
Turn off/unplug all power sources prior to transferring/relocating any type of medical equipment.
- Disconnect any batteries from electric-powered equipment (e.g., electric hospital bed).
- Completely fold/disassemble according to manufacturer’s instructions (e.g., folding a wheelchair, disassembling an electric bed).
- Transfer all heavy components with assistance from others—the added weight can compromise structural integrity and/or cause injury if transferred improperly.
- Cover all sharp edges/corners with towels/blankets for protection during transfer.
Lastly, never drag equipment along hard surfaces (e.g., concrete). Dragging equipment can scratch finish surfaces/bend brackets. Instead, elevate equipment and carry it carefully.
Transporting equipment within a vehicle
You may personally transport equipment back to the rental facility. Regardless, securely tie down/secure all equipment being transported:
- Position the base of the lift chair at floor level (never position it sideways) and tie it down securely.
- Secure hospital bed rails between soft bags or padding (to prevent pinching/rubbing against walls during transportation).
Drive slowly over bumps and avoid transporting any types of cargo on top of controls/components (the added weight could potentially damage components).
Consequences of damaging rental medical equipment
Most rental agreements include provisions outlining penalties associated with damaging rental medical equipment. Often you may be required to pay for repairs. On rare occasions, you might have to replace entire units at full cost.
Normal wear & tear is acceptable (scuffed paint/scratched plastic); however, bent frames/torn mattresses/broken remotes are examples of unacceptable damage. Missing parts may incur costs related to searches for replacement parts + replacement value of missing item(s).
Therefore, inspect all returned equipment thoroughly prior to returning it to the rental provider. Document damage via photographs and notify the rental company regarding pre-existing damage prior to returning the equipment.
How rental providers can assist in maintaining rental medical equipment
You’re not alone in caring for your rental medical equipment. Quality rental providers offer technical support to assist in ensuring that your rental medical equipment operates safely and efficiently.
- Prior to delivery, ask for video tutorials on operating your rental medical equipment.
- Request additional remote batteries.
Obtain documentation outlining recommended weight limits for your rental medical equipment. - Provide your rental provider with detailed descriptions of your home environment (stairways/narrow hallways/thick carpets/etc.) so they can determine what adjustments need made prior to delivering your rental medical equipment.
Lastly, inform your rental provider of any concerns you may have about operating your rental medical equipment.
Hidden consequences of abusing rental medical equipment
Abuse towards rental medical equipment over a short duration ultimately translates into wasted resources over an extended period. Broken lift chairs and worn-out hospital bed for home use in GTA parts end up in landfills. Future renters will receive defective rental medical equipment. Previous renters’ lack of care compromises safety.
Renters will experience increased late fees. The Hospital bed rental provider will then pass along these increased costs to all renters.