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Insights, Risk Management, Senior Care
Entrapment – An Unrecognized Risk
Side rails and assist bars are typically associated with safety, so it can be challenging for caregivers and families to realize that using them to help a resident transfer from the bed or to identify the bed’s boundaries could pose a significant risk of injury.
Entrapment is an often-overlooked risk. The decision to add rails or other devices should be clearly defined, guided by a thorough risk assessment and input from the interdisciplinary team.
Keep in mind that this risk will be owned by the community, regardless of who places the device.
Devices that qualify as side rails or create entrapment zones should be clearly identified for caregivers, residents, and families. The risks associated with these devices should be explained during education sessions, and informed consent should be obtained from the resident and family before the device is installed.
Portable side rails should not be used because they cannot be securely attached to the bed frame, and the risk of entrapment varies depending on the rail’s position. Several brands of portable rails have been recalled due to injuries and strangulation. Three recalls have been issued since February 23, 2023. These recalls can be found on the FDA website: Bed Rail Safety Activities.
Selected Resources:
- Points from Propel – Entrapment Risk and Side Rails calls attention to associated litigation and regulatory risks and offers best practice suggestions to strengthen processes related to device consideration and entrapment risk.
- Entrapment – An Unrecognized Risk identifies entrapment zones, risk associated with side rails and bed mobility devices and opportunities to mitigate entrapment risk.
- Entrapment – Risks Associated with Side Rails outlines regulatory guidelines at F 700 for skilled nursing facilities, identifies risk associated with side rails and entrapment zones, and offers considerations for regulatory compliance and mitigating entrapment risk. The link to the recorded presentation is below.
This collection of resources will provide you with comprehensive information on entrapment risks and help you and your team identify ways to mitigate these risks within your organization, regardless of the level of care provided.
