Bedrails don’t prevent falls
A recent study questioned the ability of bedrails to prevent falls in older hospitalized patients.1 A group of investigators compared the rates of falls and fall-related injuries before and after a new hospital policy was instituted to reduce the use of bedrails. The policy of using fewer bedrails led to a significant reduction in serious injuries to patients, mainly fewer head injuries. The rate of falls remained constant, but the falls that did occur were not as serious.
"Bedrails create definite hazards . . . can be a hindrance to patient care . . . and deprive older patients of their dignity and autonomy," write the authors, "and their continued use to prevent falls in older patients must be seriously questioned." An accompanying editorial observes that bedrails have become an integrated design feature of many hospital beds, and getting hospital personnel not to use them would involve a major educational effort.
Reference
1. Hanger HC, Ball MC, Wood LA, et al. An analysis of falls in the hospital: Can we do without bedrails? J Am Geriatr Soc 1999; 47:529-531, 627-628.
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