A Bed System: The importance of the relationship between the parts

A hospital bed is more than just a bed and set of rails. Instead, there is a complex system to the bed. This includes the bed rails, of which there are three main types. Furthermore, it is important to consider the relationship between the parts in the system when evaluating the risk of entrapment and falls.

There are many parts to what appears at an initial glance to be a simple hospital bed in a nursing home, hospital, or other institutional care setting. The hospital bed comprises a system of parts. These parts can be broken down into two groups: the bed or side rails and the physical bed, mattress, and other related accessories. The latter group of parts encompasses the bed frame (including a head or footboard, where appropriate), the mattress, and any bedding or overlays for the mattress.

Within the bed rail sector of the entire bed system, there are many types of side rails. These side rails may go for the entire length of the bed as one unit (full length), may run for half of the bed (half length), or may be split. Split side rails run the entire length of the bed, but are set up as two halves.

Full-length side rails may be beneficial for the patient in that there is no gap between the two rails (as in split side rails). At the same time, however, they may present a greater hazard because, by their very nature, there is greater potential for the patient to become entrapped along the length of the rail. Half side rails may be located at either the foot or head of the bed (depending on where they are installed) but are most common at the head of the bed. Aside from the entrapment risk of the rails themselves, and between the rail and the mattress, these rails mainly present hazards at the head (or foot) of the bed. The exact location depends on where they are installed.

Although split side rails present the opportunity to raise or lower either half as needed, there also is a greater risk of entrapment. Because these rails are split in the middle, there is further risk of entrapment at the head of the bed, the foot, and in the split between the two rails.

The relationship between the entire system is an important factor when evaluating the risk of entrapment hazards. It also is important that the parts of the system fit with each other. An overriding problem when looking at this relationship, however, is the fact that the system often is sold in parts and might not necessarily be purchased as an entire system, per se. Individual suppliers and manufacturers also may sell the system. Therefore, while there can be a reasonable assumption that the parts should fit together, there is no guarantee.

Because of this issue, there are situations where sizes do not match up with what is needed and do not exactly fit the individual scenario for the nursing home or hospital. These situations can help crate entrapment hazards and zones. This is so because many of these hazards and zones are created as a result of size problems with the bed system and the relationship between the parts in that system.

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