An overbed table needs to fit the bed, room and patient-care workflow. A tabletop that looks large enough in a catalogue may not clear the bed base, reach the mattress at the right height or remain stable with the intended load.
This checklist helps Ugandan and South Sudanese facilities prepare a complete furniture enquiry. Clinical staff should approve how the table is positioned and used for each patient; it is not a support rail, transfer aid or seat.
Measure the bed and room together
Record the bed's overall width, mattress height at its lowest and highest positions, under-bed clearance and the space occupied by castors, pedals, side rails and lifting mechanisms. Note wall services, bedside cabinets and the clearance needed for staff.
Exper's adjustable overbed feeding table is described with a tilting wood-effect top, height-adjustable metal support and four castors. Ask for exact dimensions and limits for the supplied model before deciding that it matches a particular bed.
Check the base before the tabletop
Request the base footprint, internal clearance and overall height of the base and castors. Compare those measurements with the space under every bed type where the table will be used. Some bedside furniture, bed mechanisms or low frames may prevent the base from sliding into the expected position.
Mark the proposed table position beside an actual bed and make sure doors, walkways and emergency access remain clear. If the table will move between rooms, inspect thresholds, ramps and lift entrances along the route.
Specify height and tilt ranges
Ask for minimum and maximum tabletop height, the adjustment method and how the column locks. Confirm whether height can be changed while the top is loaded and follow the manufacturer instructions. Include lock slippage and column damage in receiving and routine checks.
For a tilting top, request the available angles, locking method and whether the whole surface or one section tilts. Ask which positions are approved for meals, reading or other intended tasks. If edge rails or retainers are required, list them separately rather than assuming they are included.
Ask for usable area and load limits
Request overall and usable tabletop dimensions, thickness, edge design and the manufacturer's stated load limit. Clarify whether the rating applies when level, tilted, stationary or moving. Do not infer safe capacity from tabletop material or frame appearance.
List the typical items the table will carry. The ward team should decide whether the surface area and permitted load are suitable without overcrowding. Heavy medical devices should only be placed on the table when that use and any restraint arrangement are specifically approved.
Review castors and stability
Ask for castor diameter and material, number of castors and braking arrangement. Confirm which wheels brake and what the brake locks. Test manoeuvrability and stability on the facility's actual floor surfaces using the approved load and manufacturer instructions.
A mobile table should not be moved by pulling on equipment cables or used as a walking aid. Staff need a clear storage position so unused tables do not obstruct corridors or emergency routes.
Approve materials and cleaning instructions
Request the exact tabletop, edge, frame and coating materials plus the manufacturer's cleaning and disinfection instructions. A “wooden” or wood-effect top may be laminated, coated or made from another composite, and the permitted chemicals may differ.
Have the infection-prevention team inspect seams, edges, tilt mechanisms, column locks and castor housings for cleanability. Ask what happens if liquid enters a joint or the surface becomes chipped, swollen or cracked, and whether replacement tops, knobs and castors are available.
Write a complete quotation request
- Bed model or measured under-bed clearance and mattress-height range.
- Required tabletop dimensions, height range and tilt function.
- Load limit, castor and brake details, materials and finish.
- Quantity, assembly, cleaning instructions and spare parts.
- Delivery destination and receiving responsibilities.
WHO's procurement and technical-specification guidance emphasizes defining specifications before purchase so infrastructure and human resources can be planned. Use our hospital bed and mattress guide and handover checklist for related planning.
Contact Exper Medical Network on +256 756 789 821 or info.brandexper@gmail.com. Send the measurements, quantity and destination; current availability, price, specifications, warranty and delivery arrangements will be confirmed in the quotation.