Bed Leaver
®
Bed Rail safety precautions
The Bed Leaver
®
Bed Rail is designed as an aid to help clients independently move themselves
into a sitting position and to assist when leaving or entering a divan / domestic bed.
The device should be placed under the mattress in a position where the client can reach the
handle without overstretching.
To reduce the risk of the client becoming trapped between the handle and mattress, the green
strap system should be taut at all times. Any loose ends of the strapping should be securely
tucked away under the bed to prevent tripping.
These devices were not designed to fit onto all slatted type beds. However some OT's have
reported successful use with them. The main factors are whether the bed has a high
side rail beam, which prevents the Bed leaver
®
Bed Rail base from sitting horizontally, and on
the quality/strength of the actual slats under the mattress.
Contact us for details on the Easyrail
™
for slatted base type beds.
This device is not designed for following Hospital type beds:
•
Those with motorised elevators, especially the 2 & 3-part section types.
•
Those with exposed inter linked wire mesh bases or plastic sheet bases.
Another consideration with some Hospital type beds is that they are sometimes coated with a
hard slippery surface over the steel frames. Consequently, care needs to be exercised that any
bed rail fitted is secure and will not slip against the frame.
The Bed Leaver
®
Bed Rail was not designed as a complete restraint system to prevent clients
who are suffering from dementia, or are abnormally restless sleepers, falling from or leaving the
bed incorrectly.
The Bed Leaver
®
Bed Rail is not sitable for mattresses of a thickness less than 75mm (3").
The Bed Leaver
®
Bed Rail is not suitable for very young children, as they may view the device
as a play/ climbing frame.The device was not designed as a piece of exercise equipment.
The client's carer/relatives should ensure that the device is firmly placed against the side of the
bed, and is always put back in the original position specified by the advisor in their home
assessment after changing bedding/sheets etc.
When considering the appropriateness of a bed grab rail pay particular consideration to the
anticipated use overnight (for example, leaving the bed to use commode/ toilet). It is common
for a client to be less orientated/ alert on waking in the night; factors such as use of sleeping
tablets, poor lighting, urgency to reach the commode/ toilet etc, should be considered in terms
of how it will impact on the client’s understanding and safe use of the bed grab rail in those
circumstances.This will form part of the risk assessment process.
Cleaning instructions
The device is best cleaned with a damp cloth using a non-abrasive cleaning fluid, and then dried to
remove any trace of residue. The device should not be immersed in cleaning fluids, dip tanks etc.
