After 2 years in the making, Vivid.Care have brought to the hospital market something so unique and radical there has been nothing like it before in the world of clinical seating.
The biggest product launch in Vivid.Care’s history, the HiBack Bedside Chair is the culmination of years of specialist seating knowledge and intimate knowledge of the healthcare market, brought together in one product designed from first principles by Vivid Care’s R&D team.
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How The HiBack Chair Came To Market
The universal high back chair has become a reluctantly accepted fixture in hospital wards throughout the UK. Anyone who has visited family or friends in hospital or works on an NHS ward can pay testimony to how uncomfortable and difficult to move these chairs are.
Through our network of acute care specialists, we learnt first-hand the issues these chairs were causing in terms of patient care and comfort, leading to patient deconditioning and discharge delays. Not to mention the clinical time spent trying to cope with incorrectly-sized chairs by using raisers and cushions, and transferring patients.
There was clearly a pressing need for a new bedside chair solution that would remove these issues, and give the patient the levels of comfort and adjustability they needed to rehabilitate effectively.
Taking this challenge head on in the spirit of the true innovator, we threw away the existing rulebook around what a bedside chair should look like, and started engineering a new chair from scratch that incorporated all these ideals into one chair.
The product development journey was a learning curve in itself, throwing up new challenges as existing ones were fixed, but never compromising on the end ideal in mind! After several prototypes were created, each iteration was subjected to rigorous marketing testing, customer trials and conformity checks, leading to the final version which passed the scrutiny of industry experts with flying colours!
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Issues With Existing Bedside Chairs in Hospitals
Systemic issues with existing high back chairs were leading to deconditioning and delays in hospital discharges. These issues can be summarised into the following categories:
Discomfort During Prolonged Use
Many models of high back chairs do not have sufficient cushioning to provide adequate pressure relief, putting elderly and frail patients with poor skin integrity at risk of pressure injuries.
The hard vinyl fabric isn’t conducive to good pressure relief, causing pins and needles and discomfort. Vinyl isn’t breathable which can lead to moisture build-up, causing further pressure issues. Coupled with the chair being too high or low, this can put the patient at further risk of developing pressure sores, especially if they have fragile skin.
High Back Chair with vinyl upholstery
Difficult Adjustment Mechanisms
Many high seat chairs have a fixed seat height which may mean the patient has to use chair raisers or footstools to compensate. Those with height adjustment can be difficult to adjust, with awkward clunky mechanisms that are difficult to operate. This takes up extra staff time and causes physical strain for staff who need to frequently adjust the chairs between patients.
Height adjustable legs
Instability
High back chairs have a small seat base and little contact surface with the ground. This can create instability and cause the chair to fall or tip if the patient leans against it. The thin legs can also cause a trip hazard for patients moving around the bed when regaining their mobility.
Heavy and Cumbersome
Made from solid wooden frames and high-density upholstery, the high seat chairs on hospital wards can be heavy and difficult to move around, and often need to be lifted around the bed which can cause back strain for carers.
Vertical Sitting Position
The high back chair is designed to promote an upright posture, but in many cases the seat isn’t sufficiently raked, leading to patients falling forwards out of the chair.
Having the right seat rake and back angle can hold patients secure in the chair who might have a weak core, helping them relax into the chair and not push down on the armrests to keep themselves upright.
All these pain points associated with the existing design of high back chairs can lead to wider issues in hospital wards:
Deconditioning
If a patient is using an unsuitable chair or actively avoiding it and staying in bed, this contributes to patient deconditioning where the patient starts to deteriorate physically and lose muscle mass due to immobility.
Manual Handling Strain
Manual handling strain caused by heavy lifting and awkward adjustment mechanisms can lead to staff MSK disorders and sick leave.
Carer Time and Resource
All the extra time and effort involved in trying to compensate for unsuitable chairs, such as using chair raisers, footstools, transferring with trolleys, and manual transfers, is a drain on staff resource. This time could be spent much more effectively delivering patient care and supporting their recovery programme.
How the HiBack Chair Resolves These Issues
The HiBack Chair addresses the shortcomings of traditional bedside chairs with its revolutionary design and patient-centric features:
Effortless Height Adjustment
A simple handle mechanism makes height adjustment quick and easy, eliminating the need for awkward manual adjustments or tipping the chair. This reduces strain and injury risk for hospital staff.
Customisable Seat Dimensions
With adjustable seat width (16–20 inches) and depth (19–21 inches), the HiBack Chair ensures a perfect fit for every patient, supporting their comfort and postural needs.
Advanced Pressure Care
Featuring visco foam seat cushions and a four-way stretch, breathable Dartex fabric, the HiBack Chair provides enhanced pressure relief. Adjustable lumbar support and customisable cushion positioning further increase patient comfort, reducing the risk of pressure injuries.
HiBack bedside chair
Ergonomic, Modular Design
The HiBack Chair’s ergonomic raked seat and angled backrest improve postural support and stability. Cushions can be interchanged for personalised use, while its modular design makes maintenance easy with replaceable components.
Infection Control Compliant
Designed with infection control in mind, all surfaces are easily accessible for thorough cleaning. Upholstery is removable for machine washing, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene.
Flexible Armrests for Transfers
The chair’s removable arms facilitate smooth side transfers, improving patient safety. Armrest positioning can also be adjusted to promote postural stability and comfort.
The HiBack Chair combines functionality, comfort, and innovation to meet the needs of patients, carers, and hospital staff alike.
A Game-Changer for Hospital Wards
The HiBack Chair represents a radical step-change in hospital seating solutions. By addressing the pain points of traditional bedside chairs, it fosters better patient outcomes, reduces manual handling strain, and frees up valuable time for hospital staff to focus on care.
Whether it’s improving patient comfort, preventing deconditioning, or ensuring ease of use for ward staff, the HiBack Chair opens a whole new era of patient seating.
Learn More or Enquire About The HiBack Chair
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is the HiBack Chair adjusted for different patients?
A: The chair features an easy-to-use turn-handle mechanism for height adjustment and customisable seat width and depth, ensuring a precise fit for every patient.
Q: What materials are used for the cushions, and how do they support pressure care?
A: The seat cushions are made of visco foam and upholstered with breathable Dartex fabric. These materials promote pressure relief, reduce moisture build-up, and enhance overall comfort.
Q: Can the HiBack Chair be used for patients with mobility challenges?
A: Yes – the HiBack Chair’s ergonomic design, removable armrests for side transfers, and postural support features make it ideal for patients with limited mobility.
Q: How does the HiBack Chair contribute to infection control?
A: The chair’s surfaces are easily cleanable, and the upholstery is removable for machine washing, making it highly compliant with infection control protocols.
Q: Is the HiBack Chair easy to maintain?
A: Absolutely – the chair’s modular design allows for interchangeable cushions and replaceable components, ensuring long-term durability and simple maintenance.
Q: Can the chair be moved easily within the hospital ward?
A: Yes – despite its robust build, the HiBack Chair is designed for easy mobility with a portering handle and smooth rolling castors, making it convenient for staff to reposition as needed.
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Ralph has many years' experience in the healthcare sector. In a previous life he worked in finance, and his spreadsheet skills come in handy for all the analysis and research he does as he investigates topics and solutions for some of the world's most complex healthcare conditions and challenges. Aside from writing in-depth articles and organising webinars and interviews with top healthcare professionals, Ralph also administrates Vivid's "Healthcare Pioneers Board", a large group of healthcare specialists with multiple disciplines, who are working together to improve care for years to come.
