Systems, methods and techniques for operating a patient support apparatus are disclosed. The patient support apparatus includes a support structure including a base and a patient support surface to support a patient. The patient support apparatus also includes an actuator coupled to the support structure and operable to move the patient support surface. The actuator is configured to receive an applied voltage and an applied electrical current, and to produce an output power, where the applied electrical current varies based on different loads applied to the actuator. A controller is coupled to the actuator to determine a desired output power of the actuator and to control the actuator such that the output power produced by the actuator is controlled relative to the desired output power by modifying the applied voltage to compensate for the different loads being applied to the actuator.