Historically, physical restraints (such as vests, ankle, or wrist restraints) were used to try to keep patients safe in health care facilities. In recent years, the health care community has recognized that physically restraining patients can be dangerous.
In the past, healthcare facilities used physical restraints to try to keep patients safe. Bed rails are also sometimes used as restraints. But in recent years, the health care community has recognized that restraining patients, eve with bed rails, can be physically dangerous as well as emotional harmful.
Hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies should pay close attention to every patient’s needs and provide safe care without restraints. Families and caregivers need to also know about the risks pf restraints and the willingness to work with health care providers to help keep loved ones safe.
To make the best decision about keeping every patient safe, health care providers should pay special attention to the needs of patients with these problems like these: memory, sleep, loss of control of bladder and bowel, pain, uncontrolled body movement, tendency to get out of bed and walk unsafely without help.
Facts About Bed Rail Danger
According to a report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, between 1985 and 2009 there were 830 incidents in which patients were caught, trapped, entangled, or strangled in beds with rails, 480 deaths from bed rail use, 138 injuries from bed rail use and 185 injuries or deaths prevented because healthcare staff did something to help.
Benefits and risks of bed rails
Benefits: aiding in turning and repositioning within the bed; providing a hand-hold for getting into or out of bed; providing a feeling of comfort and security; reducing the risk of patients falling out of bed when being moved; providing easy access to bed controls and personal care items.
Risks: Strangling, suffocating, bodily injury, or death where patients or part of their body get caught between rails or between the bed rails and mattress; more serious injuries from falls when patients climb over rails; skin bruising, cuts and scrapes; prompting agitated behavior when bed rails are used as a restraint; feeling isolated or restricted; preventing patients who can safely get out of bed from performing routine tasks such as going to the bathroom, or getting something from the closet.
Working together for bed safety
Often, your loved ones can sleep safely without bed rails. Patients and families should work with their healthcare planning team to make the best choices for keeping safe. Healthcare providers and families should watch carefully and talk together to make sure a change to something new is comfortable and safe for your loved one.
To reduce the risks of bed rails, look for safer ways to keep the person from rolling out of bed, help the person stay in bed, sit up or get out of bed on their own. Healthcare providers and family members should watch patients closely and often for signs of risk or other needs.
Here are some ways to keep people safe in bed
Even if your healthcare provider uses bed rails, you can still keep your loved one safe. Some suggestions include:
• Lower one or more sections of the bed rail, such as the foot rail.
• Use a proper size mattress with raised foam edges to prevent patients from being trapped between the mattress and rail.
• Reduce the gaps between the mattress and side rails.
• Avoid a full-length side rail, use either a quarter-rail or half-rail.
Consulted Bibliography and References
A Family’s Guide To Bed Safety. Protect Your Loved Ones. Material prepared by Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality, and the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization.