Although a bed rail is not a QM consideration, it is a potentially serious survey issue under entrapment and quality of life. A facility must attempt to use appropriate alternatives prior to installing a side or bed rail and have this clearly documented. If a bedside rail is used, the facility must ensure the correct installation, use and ensure maintenance protocols are being followed.

Coretactics’ consultants work with many facilities to reduce the use of bed rails, which can be deemed a restraint as well as an entrapment hazard. Let us help your facility review its current bed rail policies, documentation tools and reduce current bed rail use to avoid what DOH has confirmed to be an increase in citations as it relates to F-tag 700, Bed Rails.

Considerations:

• If the use of bed rails or a bed against the wall restricts exit or entering the bed, this meets the definition of a physical restraint, even though this may improve the resident’s mobility in bed.
• Bed rails or bed against the wall may also increase a resident’s risk of entrapment.
• Policies/procedures must be in place for regular assessment of rails/bed against the wall to ensure they do not pose an entrapment risk or restrict egress from the bed.

FDA resources on bed entrapment zone:

• Hospital Bed System Dimensional and Assessment Guidance to Reduce Entrapment – Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff 
• Clinical Guidance for the Assessment and Implementation of Bed Rails in Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities and Home Care Settings

Give Coretactics experts a call at 518-280-1343 or Email Us!