Citation

Todd JF, Ruhl CE, Gross TP. Am. J. Public Health 1997; 87(10): 1675-1677.

Affiliation

Center for Radiological Devices and Health, US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Md. 20850, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9357352

PMCID

PMC1381133

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Hospital bed side-rails, while intended for patient protection, can contribute to injury and death. Reports to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of hospital bed side-rail entrapment have increased. In this paper entrapment cases are reviewed and the population potentially at risk identified. METHODS: FDA's database was searched for events involving hospital beds from January 1985 to August 1995 and entrapment cases were identified. RESULTS: Of 111 entrapments, 65% were associated with death and 23% with injury. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, female sex, low body weight, and cognitive impairment may be associated with increased risk. Preventive measures are detailed.