Bed rails protocol/algorithm?

[Tammy90]

Hello all! I was just wondering if anyone would be willing to share their facilities bed rail algorithm. I work at a private LTC facility. We typically follow our provicials guidelines and regulations but we don't specially have a bed rail algorithm. We also don't have access to look at protocols or anything. I have googled and have only found really complex algorithms that don't seem to for our facility.

Ex.https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.careinspectorate.com/images/documents/2737/2016/Tool_13_bedrail_risk_assessment.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwi89eSZz73YAhVWwGMKHRLBBq4QFggdMAA&usg=AOvVaw1cqPOjaAcqQnZ0M0pYf80g

I was hoping to find an algorithm that would include if one was to be on an air mattress.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[Tammy90]

We rarely use full side rails. We will keep the upper rails up more for re-positioning in bed. Specifically, we only use full bed rails for those on air mattresses since the rails need to be up or they will fall out of bed. We also have a few residents that request bed rails up because they are mentally capable to make that decision and do so for security. Otherwise, we try not to use full bed rails, especially if they have severe dementia. We normally put a bed alarm at the end of the bed and place a fall mat.

What does your side rail assessment and consent form look like if you dont mind me asking? Maybe that is more along the lines of what we need?

[Tammy90]

We dont have a specific one for bed rails.

Bed rails are counted as a restraint and if its felt that the patient needs bed rails, we have to go through the restraint assessment form to be able to use the bed rails.

Do you mind sharing the restraint assessment form? Just to gain a sense of what we could do/use for our facility?

[Tammy90]

We use a similar assessment on all residents and most of them use quarter rails to assist with turning and positioning, assisting with independence.

Some want it to feel safe while self positioning at night.

Do you mind sharing the assessment? Do you have anything about when one is using an air mattress?