A hospital bed includes a frame defining a location to place a mattress, and at least one side panel in mechanical communication with the frame, the at least one side panel selectively expandable so as to provide patient privacy when desired and contractible when privacy is not desired. The expandable panel may include expandable and contractible shells or an expandable and contractible plate that resides within or on the outside of the panel. In a further alternative embodiment, portable patient privacy apparatuses are provided in which a hood is manually expandable from the patient to cover the patient. The portable patient privacy apparatuses may be used to provide patient privacy to existing hospital beds and gurneys.

There is provided a patient support that may be adjustable in height, width, length or a combination thereof. The patient support may be useable with normal sized patients or with bariatric patients. The patient support has a variety of features to enhance operability and/or functionality, including a width adjustable caster frame, width adjustable deck portions, a width adjustable headboard and an extendible foot board to provide extra length. An enhanced lift mechanism can accommodate bariatric patients and alternative functionality in achieving deck positions improves patient comfort. Various parts of the patient support including deck panels and the footboard may be removed and replaced with ease without complicated connectors.

An expansion control assembly may include a stabilizer connected to a deck frame, the stabilizer having a lateral receiver and a sliding member extending through the lateral receiver, the sliding member connected to an adjustable side deck. An expansion control assembly may include a bottom bracket connected to the stabilizer, the bottom bracket comprising a first retaining element and a second retaining element. An expansion control assembly may include a latch pivotally connected to the adjustable side deck, the latch comprising a first tab and an engaging element configured to engage the first retaining element and the second retaining element. Methods of moving an adjustable side deck may include rotation of the latch away from the bottom bracket and sliding the latch away from, or towards, the deck frame.