Action 5. 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. Ensuring that the most up-to-date version of the instructions for use are being used and are provided to the bed occupant and/or their family and carers. Risk assessment not being updated following a change of equipment or a change in a patient’s condition.

Do the fittings or mattress allow the bed rail to be fitted to the bed securely so that there is no excessive movement? Understanding the needs of the resident and finding the best solution with them is the correct intervention when using the bed rails. 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’. Bed rails guidance for care homes

Resources

According to investigations, deaths were found to involve factors including inadequate risk assessment, maintenance issues and children and adults of small stature using beds which are designed for use by adults with typical body dimensions. Action 3. For more information on a medical device management system (inventory/database), see the MHRA’s guidance on Managing Medical Devices. This should include as a minimum the manufacturer, make and model, lot number, location and date of last service of the device. 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. If I do not have the capacity, can the professionals speak to my family before restricting me with bed rails?

Action 2. Training for applicable staff should be relevant to their role and include, where appropriate, the risks and operation of these devices, the provision of training to carers/patients, reporting issues, servicing and maintenance and risk assessments. a second offence resulting in people using this service being exposed to a significant risk of avoidable harm.

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." These 'Learning from safety incidents' resources are designed to do just that. 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. The first offence concerned a 98-year-old man who fractured his hip during a fall at the home in August 2015 but was discharged to the home after treatment in hospital. The resident can become trapped between the bottom of the rail and the mattress if the gap beneath the rail is too large. 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.

These measures helped demonstrate that the provider had carried out sufficient improvements. Therefore, the inspectors rated the ‘safe’ question as good. What can you do to avoid this happening? Sometimes as professionals, we ‘habitutalise’ things in a clinical way and forget the people behind it. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard despite physical or mental limitations. If not, we still have a duty to think from the perspective of the resident and make the right decision for them. I am sure you are already doing such an excellent job! Keep doing the excellent work. Imagine yourself as a resident of a care home. Getting admitted to a care home itself can be very upsetting and also thoughts about losing independence. The last thing you want to do is, putting up the side rails on the first day of admission as a surprise when they were used to lying down in a normal bed trhoughout theier life. You, as a resident, will be having the following questions to ask your professionals?The EasyFit Plus Bed Rail has a low, wide base plate for stability and slightly splayed legs. The base slides under most divan beds easily, whilst the sleek, sophisticated design of the EasyFit Plus Bed Rail makes it a modern addition to your bedroom, promoting freedom and independence.

care plans contained consent forms for the use of bed rails, and these were signed by a family member where someone was unable to do this themselves If you say “No” to any of the questions MHRA advises the risk of entrapment is ‘high’ and you will have to put measures in place to mitigate the risk. Myths in using bed rails

What do you need to do?

Develop a plan for all applicable staff to have training relevant to their role within the next 12 months with regular updates. All training should be recorded.