A patient support apparatus including a base frame arranged for movement about a floor surface. The base frame defines a foot end and a head end, and includes first and second longitudinal rails extending between the foot end and the head end with a plurality of lateral receivers formed in each of the first and second longitudinal rails. A patient support deck provides support to a patient, and includes a fowler deck section and a base deck section. The fowler deck section is coupled to the base frame for pivoting movement relative to the first and second longitudinal rails. The base deck section is attached to the first and second longitudinal rails, and includes a plurality of lateral braces having notched ends shaped to be inserted into a respective one the plurality of lateral receivers formed in the first and second longitudinal rails to assemble the patient support apparatus.