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Hospital Bed Safety Precautions

Hospital beds are specially designed to aid patients and their caregivers, but they present potential risks for some. Patients who are very young or very elderly or are frail or suffer confusion are a particularly vulnerable group. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports 480 deaths and over 300 cases of injury or near injury related to hospital beds between the years of 1985 and 2009. Following some simple guidelines can help prevent and avoid hospital bed safety incidents.

  1. Proper Installation

    • Hospital beds consist of a frame, mattress and bed rails, at a mere minimum. Since each bed is designed to work with at least these three components, make sure that they all come from the same manufacturer, or that they are compatible with each other. The mattress should not be larger or smaller than the frame, as gaps can present a hazard for the patient.

    Bed Rails

    • Bed rails that are not properly installed can also be dangerous for a patient, as the patient may become entrapped. The areas between the rails and the mattress or between the rails and the end of the bed should be checked for large openings and gaps. If these are present, the patient's head, neck and chest may become entrapped, resulting in injury. The patient should not have to climb over or around bed rails to leave or enter the bed.

    Fire Safety

    • Many hospital beds have devices to raise and lower mattresses. A hospital bed with an electrical device can pose a fire hazard if the cords are frayed or become overheated. Check the cords and motor to ensure that they do not overheat or are cracked. Only plug the cord into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. Clean the area around the bed to be free of dust so that the motor is not affected. Sheets, blankets and pillows should not come into contact with power sources.

    Physical Restraints

    • Patients who are disoriented or cannot control their movements may temporarily need restraints. There are chest restraints and leg or arm restraints, used simultaneously or independently, depending on the patient's needs and conditions. Patients who require such restraints should be closely monitored in order to avoid suffocation or accidentally becoming suspended from the bed rails. There is also a greater risk of entrapment between the bed rails and the mattress. Caregivers and family members should assess the dangers involved when using these restraints.

    Preventing Accidents

    • All of the previously mentioned aspects of hospital beds should be checked regularly, as wear and tear may occur. If a patient has had a problem with entrapment, whether with the mattress or bed rails, steps should be taken immediately to avoid a repeated occurrence. The bed should be raised or lowered to a level most comfortable for the patient. If a patient's medication or condition changes, it may also be necessary to make changes to the hospital bed.

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