Help! I am trying to find out regulations on siderail assessments in Ohio

Nurseoffaith · Apr 25, 2004

:) Hello there, I am an LPN here in Columbus, Ohio. Working in mostly skilled/rehab nursing for the last 5 years and having done many admissions, I have to say it is a policy at every place I have ever worked. Usually the form states why the need for siderails would be necessary or it the pt. requests them for an enabler. I believe it sometimes can be a safety feeling to the pt. Some patients are afraid of rolling over and falling on the floor. Stating they were used to sleeping in a larger bed at home. Overall I believe it is an enabler, to increase function and increase mobility. It also asks if the pt. can put call light on in case of a need promptly, if the pt. can move all extremities, if they have tubing, confusion, etc... also, if half SR's are being used or full. But to tell you the truth, sometimes pt.s don't have the option to having them or not due to the siderails being built in the sides of the bed where the bed controls are. In that case, you either get a different bed, or the pt. agress to having that type of bed. Of course they are definetly cases where pt.s come from the hospital needing a low-bed d/t falls. Hope I helped you out. Have a blessed day.

I am an MDS nurse & am trying to explain the need for siderail assessments on all new admits , upon reviews & prn but can't find any official regs to back me up!

Nurseoffaith · Apr 25, 2004

:) Hello there, I am an LPN here in Columbus, Ohio. Working in mostly skilled/rehab nursing for the last 5 years and having done many admissions, I have to say it is a policy at every place I have ever worked. Usually the form states why the need for siderails would be necessary or it the pt. requests them for an enabler. I believe it sometimes can be a safety feeling to the pt. Some patients are afraid of rolling over and falling on the floor. Stating they were used to sleeping in a larger bed at home. Overall I believe it is an enabler, to increase function and increase mobility. It also asks if the pt. can put call light on in case of a need promptly, if the pt. can move all extremities, if they have tubing, confusion, etc... also, if half SR's are being used or full. But to tell you the truth, sometimes pt.s don't have the option to having them or not due to the siderails being built in the sides of the bed where the bed controls are. In that case, you either get a different bed, or the pt. agress to having that type of bed. Of course they are definetly cases where pt.s come from the hospital needing a low-bed d/t falls. Hope I helped you out. Have a blessed day.

I am an MDS nurse & am trying to explain the need for siderail assessments on all new admits , upon reviews & prn but can't find any official regs to back me up!