Southwark Council –Children & Adult Services
ASSESSMENT GUIDE FOR BED RAILS
ASSESSING THE CLIENT & SITUATION Client Name:
Does the client have capacity to understand what is involved in having bed rails in place? Yes / No
Is the bed rail the best solution? Would any of the following provide an alternative solution?
Tick / yes / no / Comment / Action to reduce risks1 / A larger bed?
2 / A low height bed?
3 / Tucking the client in bed with sheets or blankets?
4 / Using a zipped up sleeping bag?
5 / Putting bed against the wall?
6 / Placing a crash mat on the floor by the bed?
7 / Use of positional wedges?
8 / Use of telecare?
Bed or floor sensors
Note / Removesharp edges or hazards away from the bed?
Needs of the client:
Tick / yes / no / Comment / Action to reduce risks1 / Could the client roll over the top of the rail?
2 / Could the client climb over the rail?
3 / Does client have any involuntary movement?
eg: violently shaking and dislodging rails
4 / Is there a possible risk of injury on bed rail?
eg: violently shaking
- Consider bumpers / inflatable bedsides
5 / Is there risk of suffocation?
Can client roll away independently?
6 / Is there is DOL issue that needs to be considered?
General understanding and perception:
Tick / yes / no / Comments / Action to reduce risks1 / Is the client confused?
Does the client have any communication problems?
2 / Does the client have visual problems?
3 / Does client have agitated behaviour – ie possible rocking / rattling the rails?
4 / Will the client try to get out of bed with the rail in place?
6 / Does the client understand why the rails are in being used?
Does the physical size of the client present a difficulty? Yes / No
Consider - Is the client’s head or body small enough to pass through and become trapped in any of the following:
Tick
/ yes / no / Comments / Action to reduce risks1 / The bed railsitself ?
NOTE: any gaps between the bars of bedside rails should be less than 120mm.
2 / In any of the gaps between the rails and the compressed mattress?
NOTE: any gaps should be less than 120mm / If yes - the bed rail is not compatible with the bed / mattress and should not be used.
3 / Any gap between the end of the bed rail and the headboard or the footboard
NOTE: gaps between head / footboard and rails should be less than 60mm or greater than 250mm
4 / Any other gap present
Product Note:
- If client has an old model bed with a ¾ length rail fitted, the bed should be swapped for a bed with integral full length bed sides.
- Divan beds already fitted with trombone style bed rail – these rails present a gap risk at the head of the bed (if rail positioned correctly along the length of the bed- if the rail is repositioned nearer the head end it will leave a longer gap at the foot end and there is a risk of the client sliding out of the bed)
Use of this type of rail should, therefore, not be prescribed and continued use discouraged when already insitu. If being used for bed mobility consider using a bed lever. If being used for falls prevention suggest a profiling beds with integral rails. If refused consider the other alternative options to a bed rail on page 1.
Standard stock items:
Have you considered the different types of bedsides available?
Bed rail Assessment form
Issue 3 version 02/2015
Page 1 of 3
Southwark Council –Children & Adult Services
For Divan bed:
Standard trombone
- Mesh covers
- Bumpers – risk of suffocation?
For Profile beds:
Standard trombone
High universal – 2/3 length of bed
-Mesh covers
-Bumpers – risk of suffocation?
Safe sides – full length with integral mesh covers.
Bed rail Assessment form
Issue 3 version 02/2015
Page 1 of 3
Southwark Council –Children & Adult Services
Assessor Name: Date:
Bed rail Assessment form
Issue 3 version 02/2015
Page 1 of 3