Get Bed Rail Consent Form

Types of bed rails Bed rails for adults fall into two categories: hospital bed rails and portable bed rails.

I. Documentation of Offer, Informed Consent And Physician Order—Required by Public Health Code Sec.

a risk assessment is carried out by a competent person taking into account the bed occupant, the bed, mattresses, bed rails and all associated equipment. the rail is suitable for the bed and mattress. the mattress fits snugly between the rails. the rail is correctly fitted, secure, regularly inspected and maintained.

Side rails can cause injuries as dementia patients try to leave their beds. They may become trapped within, underneath, or between the railings. Patients can work their arms, legs, and even their heads, through the rails in an attempt to escape.

Consider the following: Lower one or more sections of the bed rail, such as the foot rail. Use a proper size mattress or 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.

Bed rails can be used to enhance the mobility of residents by assisting with movement in bed, sitting up or getting out of bed. However, when bed rails prevent a resident from leaving the bed, they are considered to be a form of physical restraint.

Bed rails are 'medical devices', which fall under the authority of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Bed rails are often used at the same time as medical devices or equipment. This would naturally include a bed frame and a mattress. Other bed equipment could include pressure-relieving surfaces either passive or active, or other systems such as monitoring equipment depending on the bed occupant's needs.