Hospital bed

A method for handling a patient on a proning bed, the method comprising:

• providing a proning bed having a bed support, first and second support members, and first and second patient supports coupled to the first and second support members, at least one of the first and second patient supports including an inflatable portion, and the patient supported by the first patient support in a supine position;
• coupling the first support member to the bed support;
• coupling the second support member to the bed support;
• positioning a patient on the first patient support in a supine position;
• inflating the inflatable portion;
• and
• moving the first support member and the second support member so that the patient is supported by the second patient support in a prone position.

A therapy bed comprising:

• a base;
• a frame coupled to the base;
• and
• a patient support assembly coupled to the frame and configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis, the patient support assembly including a backboard having a first patient support surface, the backboard being removably coupled to the frame to facilitate transport of the patient to and from the therapy bed.

A method for handling a patient on a therapy bed, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a backboard including a first patient support surface;
• positioning a patient on the first support surface in a supine position;
• providing a therapy bed in spaced relation to the backboard, the therapy bed including a base and a frame coupled to the base;
• transporting the backboard to the therapy bed;
• releasably coupling the backboard to the frame;
• and
• rotating the first patient support surface of the backboard about a longitudinal axis.