How to Use the Crank on a Manual Hospital Bed: A Step-by-Step Guide for Carers
The crank on a manual hospital bed looks simple, but how you turn it affects the patient's comfort and the carer's back. Here is the step-by-step.
A manual hospital bed needs no electricity. Every movement is made by hand, usually with cranks at the foot end of the bed. For families looking after someone at home for the first time, those cranks can be confusing: which one raises the head, which one lifts the legs, and how far should you turn it?
This article walks through using the cranks on a manual hospital bed calmly and safely. We focus on KatilCare's two manual models, the Standard and the Flexi II. The right angle for the patient is always for the doctor, nurse or physiotherapist treating them to decide.
Get to Know Your Manual Bed First
Before turning anything, spend two minutes getting to know the bed. When it is installed in the room, ask the delivery team to point out each handle and what it does. Write it on a small card and stick it to the foot of the bed so everyone in the family knows.
The Standard hospital bed: two positions
The Standard model adjusts two sections: the head and the foot. It has wheels and supports up to 200kg. Monthly rental is RM225, and the outright purchase price is RM1,250. For many families these two positions are enough for sitting up at mealtimes and raising the legs when advised.
The Flexi II hospital bed: three positions
The Flexi II adjusts three things: the backrest, the leg rest and the height of the bed. Rental is RM325 a month and the purchase price is RM1,800. Height adjustment makes it easier for the patient to get in and out, and easier for the carer who has to bend over to change a diaper or help the patient move.
Working out which handle does what
With the bed empty, turn each handle slowly by a quarter turn and watch which section moves. That is much safer than guessing once the patient is lying down.
Turning the Crank, Step by Step
Follow the same order every time you change a position. After a few days it becomes second nature.
Before you start
- Tell the patient what is about to happen. Sudden movement can make them anxious.
- Make sure the wheels are locked so the bed cannot roll.
- Move pillows, heavy blankets or any tubing that could get caught.
- Check that no hands, feet or cables are in the gaps between the bed sections.
Raising the head section
- Stand at the foot of the bed with your back straight, not hunched.
- Turn the head-section crank in slow, even turns.
- Pause every few turns and ask the patient whether they are comfortable.
- Check their position. If they are sliding down the bed, settle them first before going higher.
Adjusting the foot section and the height
The foot section works the same way: slowly, pause, check. On the Flexi II, raise the bed while you are caring for the patient so you do not have to stoop, then lower it again when you finish so the patient can get out more easily.
Bringing it back down
When lowering, control the speed. Do not let go of the crank and let the section drop on its own. Bring it down a little at a time until it is flat.
Small Habits That Protect Patient and Carer
A crank used properly saves effort. A few small habits make a big difference to daily care.
Look after your back
- Use your body weight, not just your wrist, when turning.
- If a crank feels unusually stiff, stop and check whether something is caught.
- Fold the crank away after use if your bed allows it, so nobody kicks it.
When to ask us
If a crank makes a strange noise, feels loose or moves nothing, stop using it. On a rented bed, normal wear and tear is repaired or replaced free of charge. Send us a short video on WhatsApp so we can see what is going on.
Match the model to your routine
If the carer often has to bend for long periods, the adjustable height of the Flexi II may be more practical. If the patient only needs to sit up now and then, the Standard is usually enough. Compare rental and purchase prices for all three beds on our homepage. Delivery and installation are free in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, for example to Cheras or Shah Alam. For other states such as Ipoh, delivery is RM100–RM500 and we quote the exact amount on WhatsApp before you book.
Questions about the cranks, or which model fits? Send us a message.