Safety & Infection ControlQuestion 64 of 200

Bed rails in California SNFs are:

a.Always used on both sides for every resident over 70
b.A required safety device for every bed
c.Decorative and never functional
d.Considered restraints if they restrict the resident's freedom of movement; alternatives must be tried first, with informed consent and documented assessment of entrapment risk per FDA dimensions

Explanation

Side rails may function as restraints when they restrict freedom of movement; CMS treats them under restraint rules requiring least-restrictive analysis, informed consent, medical justification, and ongoing monitoring. FDA has documented deaths from entrapment and publishes seven entrapment zones with dimensional limits. Routine bilateral use (a, b) violates federal regulation. Alternatives include low beds, transfer-aid handles, mat near bed.

Law Reference: CMS bed rail policy; FDA bed-rail entrapment alert

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