The Safe Use of Bedrails
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) receives many reports of incidents relating to bed rails and associated equipment. These incidents are of concern as several result in patient harm or death, primarily from entrapment.
See full report and bedrail checklist
At Andway Healthcare Ltd we are committed to helping our clients by disseminating industry best practice advice, prevention information & tips and key insights from our care home clients who use bedrails on a daily basis.
The report by the MHRA looks in-depth at the key areas of:
- Risk management and risk assessment for each bed occupant
- Management responsibilities
- Meeting legal requirements
- Training on safe and best use
- Planned preventative maintenance
- Checking and ensuring that a bed rail is necessary
- The need for good communication between bed occupant and carers or staff
Risk Assessment Training: avoidance of entrapment ALWAYS starts with bed occupant risk assessment and making sure your staff are fully aware of the need to perform this each and every time and are trained to carry out this vital assessment
Bed and Mattress Fit: avoidance of entrapment means ensuring you minimise the gap between the bottom of the bedrail and the top of the mattress and bedframe, as well as measuring gaps between bedrail bars.
Your mattress must comply with and fit exactly within your bedframe. This snug fit is essential in helping to reduce any potential gap between bedrail and mattress.
If you are unsure of correct bedrail usage and best practice please click here to read the report in full or if you would like to see one of the Andway team to discuss further please call the team on 01423 331000