Article
Upgrade

Bed Rail Assessment and Safety in Aged Care

CPDTime.
6m of CPD
Bed rails are adjustable bars made of metal or rigid plastic components. They are considered a type of restrictive practice, even when used for safety purposes or to prevent harm to the resident. Therefore, they must only be used as a last resort where benefits outweigh the risks.

What's included in this resource?

  • CPDTime.
    6m of CPD
  • Article
  • 2 Assessment Questions

What is this article about?

Bed rails, which might also be referred to as cot sides, side rails, side bars, grab bars or safety rails, are adjustable bars made of metal or rigid plastic components. They are attached to one or both sides of a medical bed and come in a variety of heights and lengths. Bed rails are sometimes used when there are concerns that a resident will fall out of bed. They may also be used to support residents when they adjust themselves in bed or get in and out of bed. Some residents may be afraid of falling out of bed and feel more secure with bed rails in place. However, bed rails are not necessarily safe and are considered a type of restrictive practice. Therefore, bed rails must only be used as a last resort where benefits outweigh the risks.

Contents

Test Your Knowledge

  • 2 Assessment Questions

Document and reflect on your learning

  • CPDTime.
    6m of CPD

Meet the educator

educator profile image
Ausmed
Editorial Team
Ausmed’s editorial team is committed to providing high-quality, well-researched and reputable education to our users, free of any commercial bias or conflict of interest. All education produced by Ausmed is developed in consultation with healthcare professionals and undergoes a regular rigorous review process to ensure the relevancy of all healthcare information and updates to changes in practice. If you have identified an issue with the education offered by Ausmed or wish to submit feedback to Ausmed's editorial team, please email ausmed@ausmed.com.au with your concerns.
View Profile

What do others think?

335 reviews by Ausmed Learners
Sort by
Highest Rated
Lowest Rated
Most Recent
CH
Catherine Harding
24 Apr 2022
Registered Nurse
Informative
TD
Tracy Dean
18 Mar 2022
Registered Nurse
Good resource
MP
Michelle Painter
27 Mar 2022
Very interesting and informative
Portrait of Sunita Lama
Sunita Lama
10 Aug 2022
Very informative information
SC
Sharlene Cameron
16 May 2023
Helpful
SS
Suraksha Shrestha
20 Apr 2022
Enrolled Nurse
good resource
NS
Neeta solomon
19 May 2022
Registered Nurse
Good
CH
Clare haywood
06 Apr 2022
Good refresher
RS
Rebecca Smith
25 May 2022
Informative
Portrait of Helena Adams
Helena Adams
26 May 2022
Good article, further references helpful.?
4.5 / 5
1 star
1%
2 star
0%
3 star
9%
4 star
25%
5 star
65%

Looking for something else?

Discover more learning

There are so many different subjects on Ausmed! I thought it'd be hard to find the resources I need for complicated procedures or rarer conditions, but they've had everything I've looked for so far.

- Jacob, Enrolled Nurse