In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published guidelines intended to guide manufacturers, resellers, facilities and caregivers, and reduce the number of bed rail entrapments. The guidelines address bedrail entrapment zones and side rail designs. These guidelines were developed by a committee referred to as the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup (HBSW), whose members include the FDA, Health Canada, national healthcare organizations, federal agencies, patient advocacy groups, and bed manufacturers. The committee identified seven possible bedrail entrapment zones and testing methods to reduce the gaps that lead to entrapment. The key entrapment zones identified are:
Zone 1: Within the rail
Zone 2: Under the rail, between the rail supports or next to a single rail support
Zone 3: Between the rail and mattress
Zone 4: Under the rail, at the ends of the rail
Zone 5: Between split bed rails
Zone 6: Between the end of the rail and the side edge of the head or foot board
Zone 7: Between the head or foot board and the mattress end
View the full report on Hospital Bed System Dimensional and Assessment Guidance to Reduce Entrapment.
Learn more about the Entrapment Zones.
