Hospital safety bed rails are used by patients to assist with repositioning the bed and to help them to get in and out of the bed. Caregivers should carefully opt for an appropriate bed rail for the loved one’s age, size, weight and medical condition. It is very important to remember that all hospital bedside rails, mattresses and frames are not interchangeable. Loose side rails can lead to falls or injuries related to entrapment. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s specifications for the installation and maintenance of bed frames and bedside rails to keep loved ones safe.
You could buy safety rails easily from various online websites that offer similar products in bulk. In such a way, you don’t have to worry about purchasing bed safety rails offline or from any other suppliers who might charge you a hefty amount for bulk purchases.
Have a look at different types of bed safety rails you could find, which are meant for protecting the person from falling and causing injuries.
- Full-length side rails
Family members usually believe that full-length side rails would make sure of patient safety. They should not be used to keep confused patients from climbing out of the bed. Loved ones may attempt to climb over the side rail and suffer severe injuries due to falling from height. Other options could also help in protecting the loved ones from getting out of bed without any assistance. Electric high-low beds could be used to lower the bed frame to just a few inches above the floor which can prevent injury in case the loved one rolls off the mattress. Floor pads might be placed on either side of the bed as well for added protection.
- Half-length side rails
Upper half-length side rails can help in repositioning. However, it does not prevent loved ones from entering or leaving the bed. They are a convenient and ideal location for bed controls and TV remotes. It prevents them from falling to the floor. Solid plastic rails that have grip handles are preferred rather than chrome rungs as they can help reduce the risk of entrapment. The side rails should be mounted securely to the bed frame to help in preventing injuries when the loved ones get in and get out of the bed.
- Assist bars
Assist bars are similar to half-length side rails and are designed to help loved ones get in and out of bed. The narrow shape makes them less helpful for the loved ones to reposition themselves in the bed. Assist bars allow the loved ones greater visibility of their surroundings and reduce the feeling of being trapped in the bed. Some assist bars also offer storage bags for TV and bed remote controls. Assist bars must be mounted safely to the bed frame.
- Entrapment risks
Side rails should not be used as a substitute for proper monitoring of loved ones, especially the people who are at risk of entrapment or falls. Even though side rails might be perceived as proven safety devices, sprains, broken bones or strangulation might occur if body parts become wedged between the mattress and side rail.
