side rail use in private duty homecare

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HI, have a question. Home care client has a hospital bed. If I use upper and lower side rails with this client, is that the same as facility nursing where all side rails are considered a restraint. I do private duty home care 12 hour night shifts. There are no orders concerning side rail usage. The family don't care if we use them or not. The case manager just told me to do what I thought needed to done to keep the client safe. I know in facilities where I have worked prior to this job it is considered false imprisonment. Am I doing wrong by using full upper and bottom side rails with this client?

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
From what I've been taught is residents technically have the right to leave, even the nonmobile ones. Go figure.

I'm curious about the pediatric pt in a crib also

This is private duty home care. I think it's not much better putting a chair against a bed to trip over.

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This is private duty home care. I think it's not much better putting a chair against a bed to trip over.

I agree I think it would make more sense for side rails rather than a chair. I've heard of elderly trying to get out of bed and end up getting stuck between the rails maybe that's why it's not allowed.

I do private duty now but with babies in cribs and it's never been a problem with my company or the family. Not sure if in pediatric cases it's considered a restraint.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Actually side rails up is a necessity and in the 485 for most of my pediatric patients.

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Actually side rails up is a necessity and in the 485 for most of my pediatric patients.

Didn't even think about reading the 485. Just went through it and there it is side rails up for safety measures.

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Specializes in Home Health, PDN, LTC, subacute.

That's what my supervisor said. I worked LTC and I understand this rule, lol. I NEVER felt this was a restraint since he was alert, oriented, physically incapable of climbing & wanted them up. She was "odd" to say the least. We switched insurance and he got a new case worker thank goodness.

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