Hospital Bed Sale in New Orleans: Beds That Keep Working in an Outage

In New Orleans, a hospital bed has to keep working when the power doesn't. Storms and long outages are part of life on the Gulf Coast, and a bed that depends entirely on wall power can leave a patient stuck in one position, or lying on a deflating mattress, until the lights come back. For hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies and families in New Orleans and the surrounding parishes, this guide covers what to look for in a bed that copes with power loss, and how to plan for outages and evacuations. Beds are part of our new and refurbished medical equipment for sale, shipped from our headquarters in Garland, Texas.

What happens to a bed when the power goes out

Features to choose for outage-prone areas

• Battery backup: enough charge to lower the bed, raise the head and move it several times without wall power.
• CPR release: a mechanical release that flattens the bed with no power at all.
• Manual crank option: some electric beds include a crank to lower the bed in an emergency.
• Air-holding mattress: powered surfaces that keep their shape for hours when the pump stops.
• Locking casters that roll well: for moving patients toward exits or to a safer room.

Planning for outages at home

Federal preparedness guidance on Ready.gov advises people who depend on powered medical devices to plan for outages in advance. For a hospital bed at home, that means:

1. Keep the bed's battery charged and test it monthly by unplugging the bed and lowering it.
2. Know how to use the CPR release or crank, and show every caregiver.
3. If the person uses a powered mattress, keep a foam mattress or overlay on hand.
4. Talk to the power company about any medical needs registry they keep.
5. If a generator is used, follow its safety instructions and never run it indoors.
6. Plan where the person will go if an evacuation is ordered, and how the bed or a replacement will get there.

Planning for facilities

Hospitals and nursing facilities usually have emergency generators, but beds should still be ready for the gap before generators take over and for moves during evacuation. Check that beds on emergency circuits are plugged into the right outlets, that batteries are maintained, and that staff can lower and move beds without power. After a storm, inspect beds that were exposed to water or humidity before returning them to service, since moisture damages motors, controls and mattresses.

Moving a patient in a bed during an emergency

Hospital beds are heavy, and moving one with a patient on it takes at least two people. Lock out any controls the patient could press by accident, lower the bed to its transport height, raise and latch the rails if the patient's assessment allows, unlock the brakes and steer from the head end. Check doorways and ramps on the route in advance; many homes and older buildings have doors too narrow for a hospital bed, so plan to move the patient by wheelchair or stretcher instead and set up a second bed at the destination.

Buying from Texas

We ship hospital beds to New Orleans and across Louisiana from Garland, Texas. We confirm the delivery date and arrangements when you order, and every bed is tested before it is packed. On delivery, the bed is assembled, the mattress fitted and every function, including the battery and CPR release, checked. We provide on-site setup and service visits in New Orleans and across Louisiana, scheduled in advance. Reconditioned beds from us carry a 90-day warranty.

New or refurbished?

Refurbished full-electric beds with healthy batteries are a sound choice for most homes and facilities. Battery condition matters more than usual in a storm-prone area, so ask for the battery's replacement date. Our refurbished bed checklist explains what should be tested. For mattress choices, see our hospital bed mattress guide, and for bed types in general, our guide to hospital bed types.

After the storm

• Check the bed runs every motion once power returns.
• Recharge the battery fully.
• Inspect cords, plugs and controls for water damage.
• Replace mattresses that were soaked or contaminated.

Service requests receive a response in under 8 business hours, Monday through Friday, and our engineers can help troubleshoot by phone.

To order a hospital bed for New Orleans, call (469) 767-8853 or send us a request.

Shop hospital beds and other patient-care equipment online at our store, Mr. Bedmed.

New Orleans heat and humidity also wear out mattresses and covers faster. Read our guide to keeping hospital beds clean in New Orleans humidity.

Need a bed for a short stay at home or a census surge? See our hospital bed rental options across Texas.

On a budget? See our used hospital beds for sale, reconditioned and tested.