Resources for Nursing Home Bed Rail Equipment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has drafted several reference tools about entrapment risk when using bed rails. One document in particular, the Hospital Bed System Dimensional and Assessment Guidance to Reduce Entrapment, is an extremely up-to-date piece of literature. This document was drafted in 2004 and approved in 2006. It addresses the risks with using bed rails, and the body parts that are particularly at risk in their use. The FDA also outlines the procedure for reporting an adverse event associated with bed rails.

Various resources are available for those seeking more information about bed rails and the hazards that these devices can present. Many federal agencies have compiled information about their use; you may find it helpful to review these resources if parent or grandparent is in a facility that requires the use of bed rails as a restraint device.

Do your research before making a decision about whether a bed rail is appropriate for your family member. The use of a bed rail should never be a cookie cutter decision.