Home care for the infirmed may be easier when hospital beds are available.

However, despite the advantages that hospital beds provide, there are still certain precautions that must be taken. Between 1985 and 1999 there were 228 fatalities that occurred when patients were either caught, trapped, entangled or strangled in hospital beds with rails. Although this is a statistically minute occurrence, it is significant enough to have prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to publish a brochure titled "A Guide To Bed Safety." Given the demands already made of home caregivers, it seems wise to take the few minutes to become aware of methods that can be used to avoid such tragedies when using hospital beds.

Patients who have problems with memory, sleeping, incontinence, pain, uncontrolled body movements or who get out of bed but require assistance walking must be carefully assessed to determine the best ways to keep them from harm. While hospital beds with rails provide many benefits such as hand-holds when getting into and out of bed and protection from falling out of bed, they can be hazardous in some circumstances.

The greatest danger is that a patient may become caught between the rails or between the mattress and the rails and strangle or suffocate. Accidents can also occur if a patient falls attempting to climb over the rails. Consequently, it is advised that an assessment be made to determine if the patient can be safe without the rails. If not, then careful monitoring of patients in hospital beds should be planned.

Recommended for Hospital Beds

Vitality Medical - Hospital beds and accessories from a premier source for discount health and medical products.  Allegro Medical - Hospital Beds and many other patient care items and medical supplies and equipment. Visit the site and click on "Patient Care."