MEDICAL SUPPLY HOSPITAL BED 

 

Medical supply hospital bed designed with entrapment on the side rails is said to be hazardous to bedridden patients. Bed side rail protective barriers may be used to close off open spaces wherein patients might accidentally be trapped. A recommended action must be taken in order to prevent such danger. There have been reported cases of head and body entrapment incidents involving the use of adjustable medical supply hospital bed side rails. Though the reported incident is in smaller ration relative to the huge number of patients using medical supply hospital beds, it is still necessary to take precautions that will surely reduce further incidents. Majority of reported deaths and injuries involved elderly patients. Deaths of entrapment involved occurring in the head, neck, or thorax while most injuries involved fractures, cuts, and extremities abrasions.

Patients who are likely to get high risk with medical supply hospital bed entrapment are those with pre-existing conditions like restlessness, lack of muscle control, confusion, or a combination of the said factors. And to prevent deaths and injuries caused by entrapment in medical supply hospital bed side rails, necessary actions must be taken:

1. As part of the hospital maintenance program to identify areas of possible entrapment, all adjustable bed frames, bed side rails and mattresses must be inspected. These should not leave any gap wide enough to entrap a patient’s body or head. Gaps can be created by movement or compression of the mattress which may be caused by patient’s weight, movement or bed position.
2. Replacement mattresses and bed side rails with dimensions different than the original supplied equipment must be alertly checked. Not all replacements are interchangeable. Variations in the bed side rail design and thickness and/or density of the mattress is a potential for bed entrapment. Compatible equipment must be the replacement of the original.
3. Proper installation of the bed side rails must be checked, ensuring a proper distance from the headboard and footboard.
4. Bed side rails should not be a substitute for patient protective restraints.

For patients with altered mental status or general restlessness, they must have the additional safety measures because they are identified to have the high risk for entrapment. Patient’s size and/or weight inappropriate for the medical supply hospital bed’s dimension also have increased risk for entrapment.