Hospital Bed Entrapments

Published: Thu Mar 09 00:00:00 -0500 2006

The Food and Drug Administration issued a guidance designed to reduce the occurrence of hospital bed entrapments that occur when part of a patient's body becomes caught between parts of the bed, such as in the space between the mattress and the side rail. This can cause strangulation and death. Entrapments have occurred in a variety of patient care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes. The guidance identifies special issues associated with hospital bed systems, provides design recommendations for manufacturers of new hospital beds and provides suggestions for health care facilities on ways to assess existing beds for potential entrapment risks.