Further to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's National Patient Safety Alert issued on 30 August 2023 on bed rail risks, the Medical Device Safety Officer (MDSO) Network have produced FAQs.
These relate to questions MDSOs have raised regarding bed rails and are intended for professional colleagues working on the National Patient Safety Alert.
The National Patient Safety Alert, which contains actions to be completed by 1 March 2024 by those responsible, followed serious incidents relating to bedrails and associated equipment. Some of these caused patient harm or death due to entrapment or falls. Most occurred in community care settings, particularly in nursing homes or in the patient's own home.
The MHRA have published updated guidance on managing and using bed rails and associated equipment including trolleys, bed rails, bed grab handles and lateral turning devices safely.
The Homecare Association emailed members about bed rails risks on 31 January 2024.
