You can use the Bed Rail Protectors on beds for confused patients. They attach to the inside of the rails.
Some Patients may be at risk of bed rail entrapment, or hurting themselves by hitting or getting arms, legs, head, etc. stuck in the rails. The foam offers some protection if the patients lashes out.
If the Patient’s arm or leg goes over the top of the rail, the top of the Protector will fold over giving protection. This is an important safety feature.
This item may also be of interest if you are wondering how to stop Patients falling out of bed.
Features
The product is a piece of foam with a cover. The material next to the person is a soft medical-grade vinyl material. It is used to help with protection against urine, faeces, vomit, blood, etc. Staff can wipe it clean for hygiene. The material print may change depending on availability. We do try to keep the print as unisex as possible. The outside is made of poly-cotton material and has two Hook & Loop Tape straps to keep it in place.
The Protector is higher than the actual top rail, to give some padding to the Patient if they put their arms or legs over the bed rail. Please see this demonstrated in the video.
The foam is 1.5cm / 0.96″ thick, which is thin enough for the bottom part of the Bed Rail Protector to be tucked down below the mattress. This helps prevent Patients from putting their feet under the Bed Rail Protector and getting caught in the bed rail.
Some alternatives to this product are:
Item # 214S
Size (each): 166cm x 50 cm / 65″ x 19.5″. 1.5cm / 0.69″ thick.
This item comes as a pair – one for each side of the bed.
Registered Design IP Right Number 201612141.
Cover: Wipe clean with a hospital grade disinfectant or wash up to 80°C (176°F). Air or tumble dry on a cool setting, ensuring the drum is cool. Ensure the product is dry before using or storing.
Foam: Hand wash foam squeezing out excess water. Handle with care when wet. Do not wring or tumble dry.
Warning: When bed rails are used, it is possible for people to be entrapped between the edge of the mattress and the bed rail. This may also happen if a Bed Rail Protector is being used. This entrapment can lead to death due to positional asphyxiation, so it is very important to do a risk assessment for the Patient and regularly check that they do not manoeuvre themselves into a dangerous position. This entrapment can happen if an old mattress with very soft sides is on the bed, if a mattress that is too narrow is on the bed, or if an Air Cell type mattress is used.
What if our bed rails are longer than 167cm / 65.5″?
If your bed rails are longer than 167cm / 65.5″, we can either quote you for making a custom-made product, or you can consider the Bed Rail Protector – Strap on. The difference is that the Bed Rail Protector – Strap on is completely covered in Mediflextra with no printed polycotton material. Because the Slip Over version has a printed polycotton material on the outside, they look a lot more homely than the Bed Rail Protector – Strap On.
Do the Bed Rail Protectors have to be removed to lower the rails?
We recommend removing the Bed Rail Protectors while the bed rails are down. Many facilities leave them on, so it depends on the type of bed rails you have. In America, where there are many split Bed Rails, they need to be removed completely.
