BATH TUB, BATH TUB/BED ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A PATIENT BETWEEN BATH TUB AND BED

摘要

A bath tub assembly including a portable bath tub (20, 20A, 20C) and a supporting frame (46, 17A, 200) for the tub (20, 20A, 20C) are positioned alongside a bed (10, 10A, 10C) for a bedridden patient (P). The bath tub (20, 20A, 20C) has a front side (76) which overlaps a mattress (12, 12A, 12C) on the bed (10, 10A, 10C) and is supported thereby for bridging the bed (10, 10A, 10C) and tub (20, 20A, 20C). The bed (10B) has a bed frame (14B) which is movable vertically for raising and lowering the bath tub (20) supported on the mattress (12B). A patient (P) (as shown in figures 18-23) preferably is positioned on a slide board (142) while on the bed (10C) and is moved sidewise in a prostrate position on the slide board (142) between the bed (10C) and the tub (20C). A patient (P) is transferred over a curved front side (76) of the tub (20C) onto its bottom (70) for bathing of a patient (P), and returning such patient (P) after bathing over the curved front side (76) to the bed (20C). The method includes steps of lowering such curved front side (76) to facilitate patient transfer and raising such curved front side (76) to facilitate bathing.