Adjustable side rails are often installed on home hospital beds. They improve the safety, comfort, and independence of adjustable bed users. Many home hospital bed users do not need side rails—which are also called bed guard rails or assist rails. But for some patients, they are a practical and helpful addition to their bed.
In this article, we look at what side rails are and how they work. We discuss some of the ways side rails improve comfort and safety. Finally, we explore the risks associated with side rails and how to minimize them.
What Are Hospital Bed Side Rails?
A side rail is a barrier attached to the side of a bed. The bottom of the rail can be attached to the rigid frame of the bed, although some rails rely on the weight of the mattress to hold them in position. The top of the rail rises above the level of the mattress. Adjustable side rails may include a mechanism or fixture so that the rails can be raised, lowered, or removed.
Side rails can be full-size: as long as the bed. Half-size rails are about half as long as the bed but can be used in pairs if required.
Bed rails are usually made from metal or rigid plastic. Metal rails may be covered with more comfortable and less slippery material. Bed rail covers such as Transfer Master’s Bamboo Rail Covers add a layer of soft, attractive, and easily-cleaned fabric to the rails.
4 Benefits of Adjustable Side Rails
Bed rails have many different uses. They can make a home hospital bed safer and easier to use for people with a wide variety of conditions.
Reduce the risk of Falls When Getting Into and Out of Bed
For people with mobility challenges or bodily weakness, getting into an out of bed can be challenging. It is common for elderly or disabled people to slip or lose their balance when moving on to or off their bed. A bed rail adds rigid support that people can hold on to when moving to get off the bed, standing up, or climbing onto the bed.
The additional support provides stability, guidance, and a convenient hand-hold that reduces the risk of falling. Consumer mattresses are usually soft at the edges: they provide little support because they compress under pressure. Transfer Master mattresses are equipped with rigid edges—we call it border edge protection—to provide extra support, but many people also benefit from raised bed rails.
Prevent Patients from Rolling Out of Bed While Asleep
Rolling or jumping out of bed is another common cause of falls and injury. You might expect that rolling out of bed is rare, but it happens more than you think to seniors and people who take some types of medication.
Seniors and others who suffer from restless sleep may fall or jump out of bed while they are dreaming. They may misjudge the width of the bed or their position in bed and roll out, especially if they are unused to sleeping in a home hospital bed. Medications that interfere with brain chemistry make the problem worse. People with dementia are at an even higher risk of falling from their beds.
A bed rail puts a hard limit on how far a person can move, keeping them safely on the bed even if they attempt to roll over the edge.
Provide Support While Changing Position
A bed rail provides support and leverage to help people change positions in bed, which is why they are sometimes called bed assist rails. People with limited strength may struggle to turn over in bed or change sleeping positions. Staying in the same position is uncomfortable, and it can lead to conditions such as bedsores. A bed rail gives the bed’s occupant a rigid surface to hold onto or push against while moving.
Equipment Storage
Finally, bed rails provide a useful area for attaching bed pockets and other storage. They can be used to safely store medical equipment, books and magazines, and other small items the bed’s occupant might need.
On a related note, bed rails can also stop items such as the bed’s remote control from being knocked onto the floor and damaged. Transfer Master bed rails include an easy-to-access hanging hook to hang your hospital bed hand controls.
Using Side Rails Safely
Side rails are a practical addition to a home hospital bed, but they can be dangerous in some circumstances. If they are fitted incorrectly or used with the wrong mattress, the bed’s occupant can become trapped under the rail. In rare cases, being trapped under a bed rail has proved fatal. When using bed rails, always make sure they are fitted safely and used with a compatible bed and mattress.
To learn more about bed rails, hospital beds, mattresses, and other hospital bed accessories, contact us today.
Learn More About Transfer Master Hospital Beds
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