Organisations which regularly require beds for children and for children and adults with atypical anatomy should plan to replace non-compliant beds as soon as possible. Review all patients who are currently provided with bed rails or bed grab handles to ensure there is a documented up-to-date risk assessment. This suggested that the provider had not taken sufficient action to deal with risks or to keep people safe. To give you a snapshot of what their jobs involve, Rachel Hutchinson, Clinical Services Director, is on hand to tell you more.

The ergonomic handle offers multiple grip options enabling you to find the most comfortable position.For more information on a medical device management system (inventory/database), see the MHRA’s guidance on Managing Medical Devices. from the floor to the base of the bed frame and the base would need to be static for the rail to securely clamp onto. Implement systems to update risk assessments where the equipment or the patient’s clinical condition has changed (for example, reduction/improvement in weight or mobility), and also at regular intervals. Bed rails can be highly useful for individuals who benefits from it, we shouldn’t put off the decision just because “we want to claim a zero bed rail policy’. Please note if you are a provider registered with CQC, and with premises located in England, CQC is the relevant regulatory body for patient safety matters What is the risk?

Investigations into incidents involving falls often found the likely cause to be worn or broken parts, which should have been replaced during regular maintenance and servicing, but which were either not carried out or were carried out improperly.

When something goes wrong in health and social care, the people affected and staff often say, "I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. He is the founder of Outstanding Care Homes, Consultancy that helps care homes to improve their standard of practice. trapping between the bedrail and mattress, headboard or other parts because of poor bedrail positioning.

The staff will have to go to the resident’s room and check the bed rails properly before completing the paper work. Update your organisation’s policies and procedures on procurement, provision, prescribing, servicing and maintenance of these devices in line with the MHRA’s updated guidance on the management and safe use of bed rails. During my mock inspections, I come across a variety of explanations on why bed rails are used or not used from the professionals.However, accident data shows that bed rails sometimes don't prevent falls and can introduce other risks. Please do not use crash mats for people who are dying or who does not move in bed instead use bed rails. Each one briefly describes a critical issue - what happened, what CQC and the provider have done about it, and the steps you can take to avoid it happening in your service. Develop a plan for all applicable staff to have training relevant to their role within the next 12 months with regular updates.