Nursing Homes Abuse Blog - Bedrail Entrapment - Comments

Barbara Knight

Jonathan Rosenfeld — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:59:31 -0600

Is the removal of bed rails a law? My dad is in a nursing home and he feels more comfortable with the rails on. He can use them to move to his side when the nurses are attending to his needs. He also uses them to pull himself on his side when his back hurts from laying on it. This should be a decision by the doctors and nursing staff on an individual basis.

Jonathan Rosenfeld

Jonathan Rosenfeld — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:59:31 -0600

There are no laws that apply to the use or removal of bad rails. The decision should be made by the patient, family and staff at the nursing facility. If your father is more comfortable with bed rails then they probably are appropriate.

There have been many recent studies that do suggest patients are at an increased risk of injury due to entrapment / strangulation with bed rails.

So perhaps, given the potential safety risk the rails could be removed when your father is not receiving treatments?

Christa S.

Jonathan Rosenfeld — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:59:31 -0600

actually it's a law in the state of Illinois-bedrails are considered a restraint therefore are not allowed. My father just fell out of his bed at his nursing home because he has no bedrails and they can't put them on due to this law. While I understand the information above, this seems completely ridiculous--I think this needs to be looked at on a case by case basis. NOw the nursing home has to jump through hoops to keep him safe. Padding on floor, low bed, special mattress, bed alarm and 15 min. bed checks---seems like a simple bedrail would be a lot cheaper for Medicaid.