Application of Hospital Bedside Guards in the Medical Industry

Medical products such as wheelchairs and walkers greatly facilitate hospital work and patients' lives. Bedside guards are another example of such products that enhance convenience. Many hospitalized patients have chosen to install adjustable bedside guards, a wise choice. This article will explain the application of bedside guards in the medical industry from the perspectives of definition, reasons for their use, selection methods, and product recommendations.

What are Bedside Guards in the Medical Industry?

Bedside guards are a common bedside care accessory. They typically consist of four panels around the perimeter of a medical care bed. This combination of guardrails forms the basic perimeter of the bed.

One of the main functions of bedside guards is the ability to adjust the angle, allowing caregivers to easily move the patient. A second function is to fix the angle while the patient is sleeping, preventing accidental falls out of bed at night, especially for patients or those with restless sleep.

Bedside rails can be categorized by location into headboard rails, bed rails, and side rails. In the medical industry, bedside rails are typically standard-sized and suitable for general medical beds. Headboard and bed rails usually include displays and adjustment buttons for operating and displaying their functions. Side rails are used to adjust the angle for ease of use.

Why are bedside rails necessary in the healthcare industry?

Bedside rails prevent patients from accidentally falling out of bed. This is crucial for those with limited mobility or those who are bedridden for extended periods. It ensures the patient's safety while sleeping. Traditional hospital beds only have two side rails at the head and foot of the bed, primarily used as handles for easy movement. While the headboard can separate the patient's head from the wall, preventing injury from head injuries, bedside rails compensate for these limitations. When no caregivers or family members are present, raising the side rails acts like a fence, preventing accidental falls.

Bedside rails facilitate patient care. They are adjustable to multiple angles. When the patient needs to be lifted, the rails can be folded up, providing caregivers with operational space. When turning the patient over or assisting with toileting, caregivers can adjust the rails to a suitable angle for leverage. This makes the work of caregivers easier, and patients can also use the bed rails to get up, making patient care easier and less strenuous.

How should hospitals choose high-quality bedside rails?

Several factors need to be considered when choosing bedside rails. The first consideration is size. Standard hospital nursing beds are typically 2,000 × 900 mm or 2,100 × 1,000 mm. The size of the bedside rail should be chosen to adequately cover the bed. This involves considering the length of the rail; single-section rails of 800–1,100 mm or combined rails with a total length of 1,400–1,600 mm are suitable choices. A rail structure of around 20–35 mm is usually chosen, ensuring sufficient strength without taking up too much space and facilitating nursing procedures. For some special bed sizes, hospitals can also choose custom-sized bedside rails.

The second factor to consider is the functionality of the bedside rail. The rotating function of bedside rails, the responsiveness of the buttons, the smoothness of angle adjustments, and their stability at fixed angles are all important considerations when choosing a bedside rail. Some high-end bedside rails also feature a call function, equipped with a display screen and an interface for connecting nursing equipment. A high-quality bedside rail should have a timely and accurate call function, a clear display screen, and an interface for connecting nursing equipment.

The material and weight of the bedside rail are equally important. High-quality PP, ABS, or aluminum alloy materials are not only more durable but also have a good surface finish, facilitating quick wiping and deep cleaning. For places like hospitals that require frequent disinfection and strict hygiene control, easily cleanable materials significantly improve daily maintenance efficiency, allowing wards to maintain higher hygiene standards. At the same time, the weight of the bedside rail also affects the convenience of nursing operations. Lightweight and structurally stable rails are easier to lift, lower, or disassemble, requiring less effort from nursing staff during daily storage and organization. Choosing bedside rails with appropriate materials and weight can not only ensure patient safety but also make the hospital's daily care and cleaning processes smoother.

Recommended Bedside Guard Products

There's a wide variety of bed rail products available, and JIECANG, as a manufacturer and supplier of bed rails, produces some high-quality ones. The Accessories Side rail JCP35H09 is an excellent example of JIECANG's bed rail product. This product features a calming gray color, weighs 33.1kg, and is sturdy and reliable. Its IPX6 waterproof rating makes daily cleaning and disinfection easier. Anti-slip features on the side rails further enhance safety. Installation is also very convenient; the side rails can be quickly disassembled and assembled with screws, and the footrest uses a tubular lock mechanism.

Conclusion

Bedside rails have become an indispensable safety and assistive device in modern healthcare systems. They effectively reduce the risk of patient falls and assist caregivers with patient transfers, turning over, and daily care, significantly improving nursing efficiency. By selecting bedside rails of appropriate size, durable materials, good handling, and reliable safety features, hospitals can provide patients with a safer environment and a better hospital experience, while also making nursing work more efficient and less strenuous.

Bed Rail FAQ

1.What is the best bed rail for seniors?

From a medical perspective, the best bed rail for seniors should be stable, sturdy, and easy to use. At the same time, the height of the rail should be sufficient to prevent accidental rollover, but not too high to avoid hindering the elderly person's ability to get in and out of bed independently. Hospitals and nursing homes generally prefer to use professional medical-grade bed rails that are certified to medical device standards and made of durable and easy-to-clean materials (such as PP/ABS) because they offer higher overall safety and reliability.

2. Why do nursing homes not use bed rails?

Not all nursing homes completely prohibit bed rails; rather, they use them with caution based on nursing guidelines. This is because some elderly people with cognitive impairment may perceive bed rails as a constraint and attempt to climb over them, increasing the risk of falls. Therefore, nursing homes will assess the individual's health condition to determine whether to use bed rails and, if necessary, use alternative methods such as low beds, bedside padding, and monitoring alarms to ensure the elderly person's safety without causing psychological burden.

3. Are bed rails safe for the elderly?

Suitable and safe bed rails are suitable for the elderly, especially those who frequently need hospitalization or have restless sleep. However, it is important to choose safe products for the elderly, considering factors such as stability, slip resistance, and ease of use.