Bed Rail AHCA Deficiencies

When a resident is a drop risk, using bed rails seems like a simple solution. Before you put in bed railings onto a resident's bed, you must first know about the regulations that your facility has to meet to remain out of trouble with AHCA.

Bed Rail Legislation

Primarily, it's important to understand that bed rails are regarded as a physical restraint.

'Physical restraint' means a device that physically limits, limits, or deprives an individual of movement or mobility, such as, but not limited to, a half-bed railing, a full-bed rail, a geriatric chair, and a posey restraint. The term physical restraint' also includes any system that was not specially made as a restraint, but which was altered, organized, or used for this function. The term doesn't include filler substance used for the purpose of binding a wound or an accident.

In addition to the requirements of Section 429.41(1)(k), F.S., the use of physical restraints by a facility must be reviewed by the resident's physician annually.

Please note: Any apparatus, including half-bed rails, which the resident chooses to utilize, and he or she can remove or prevent without help, is not considered a physical restraint.

Using physical restraints is restricted to half-bed railings as prescribed and documented by the resident's physician with the consent of the resident or, if appropriate, the resident's representative, designee, or the resident's surrogate, guardian, or attorney.

Overview

Any device, such as half-bed rails, which the resident chooses to use and can eliminate or can avoid without assistance, is NOT considered a physical restraint.

1. You must have a physician's order for a Half Bed Rail The order has to be renewed after per year.

3. The resident's 1823 needs to mention the bed rails.

4. If your resident is on hospice that is the ONLY time you can use a full bed railing. Maintain a bed railing list on paper or in a spreadsheet Review the list and Be Sure all bed railings have legal orders

3. Make sure your resident's 1823 reflects using bed rails

4. Make rounds with your list, and visit your resident's chambers to make sure

A) There are no bed railings that You're unaware of, and;

B) That the mattress rails are attached properly and in good working condition

Important: Don't forget to record everything that leads up the use of the bed rails

Including your telling to the Physician, as well as whether the resident is awake and has given consent. In the event the resident is perplexed, then include documentation that the responsible party is conscious and has given consent.

ALF Boss provides facility compliance information along with specially designed facility tools geared towards Florida ALF's