Shabbos and Using Electronic Bed Controls in a Hospital
Question
In a few weeks I am having minor elective surgery. It is no big deal, but I have to spend 3 days in the hospital to recover from anesthesia, probably including a Shabbos. I had a similar procedure once before, and during the recovery, I found I had to use the electronic controls to move the bed often to make myself comfortable and the call button to call nurses at times. What are the laws pertaining to using these on Shabbos when it is only to improve one’s comfort?
Answers
Please accept my heartfelt Bracha that the surgery be successful and that you have a speedy and complete recovery.
If there is no issue of Pikuach Nefesh (danger to life) or Safek Pikuach Nefesh (a remote possibility of danger), there is little room to permit moving the bed settings on Shabbos. What I would suggest is that you let the nurses know that you are Jewish and that you are Orthodox. Explain to them, as simply as possible, that at sundown on Friday evening until after nightfall on Saturday night you will not be able to use any electronic devices in your room, including your bed. Or the buzzer to ask for assistance. In most hospitals, the nursing staff is dedicated and compassionate and can relied upon to pop into your room from time to time to ask how you are and if you need anything done. At that point, it is permissible to ask them to adjust the controls on your bed.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team