2 60127508-A
Entrapment between the head or foot board and the
end of the mattress
RISK OF ENTRAPMENT
Bed Rail Entrapment is a known risk in the use of
beds equipped with bed rails.
Every user is unique. Only the user’s medical care
provider is familiar with the user’s unique medical
condition and needs. Only the user’s medical care
provider and/or the dealer from whom you obtained
this equipment, upon proper assessment of the user’s
medical condition and needs, can evaluate whether
this equipment is appropriate for use by any particular
user and assist the user, the user’s family and/or the
user’s primary day-to-day caregiver in assessing the
Risk of Entrapment.
Proper user assessment, equipment selection,
frequent user monitoring, and compliance with
instructions, warnings and this Bed Rail Entrapment
Risk Notification Guide is essential to reduce the risk of
entrapment.
Accessories have been developed in the industry to
reduce the openings in existing bed systems that could
cause entrapment. Any modification through the use
of accessories must be used in conjunction with
proper user assessment prior to intervention. For a full
discussion on this topic, visit the FDA website at
http://www.fda.gov to learn about the risks of
entrapment, including “A Guide to Bed Safety”. Use
the links located under each bed rail product at
www.invacare.com to access the Bed Rail Entrapment
Risk Notification Guide and other product safety
information and instructions.
Conditions such as restlessness, mental deterioration
and dementia or seizure disorders (uncontrolled body
movement), sleeping problems, and incontinence can
significantly impact a user's risk of entrapment.
Pediatric users or users with small body size may also
have an increased risk of entrapment.
lBed rails are intended to prevent an individual
from inadvertently rolling out of bed, provide
assistance to a user when repositioning and to
provide a sense of security. NEVER use bed rails
for restraint purposes where “restraint” means
preventing or hindering the user within the bed
from exiting the bed as they wish. Use of rails as a
means of restraint significantly increases a user’s
risk of entrapment.
lBed rails are intended to be used as a pair in a bed
system. When in use, both side rails must be in the
up position, except when the user is entering or
exiting the bed. Use with one side rail up and one
side rail down could create an increased risk of
entrapment.
lBed rails and/or their mountings should not be
used if they are bent or otherwise deformed.
Bent or deformed bed rails and/or bed rail
mountings increase gaps and increase the risk of
entrapment. DO NOT place pressure upon bed
rails while moving the bed. Although bed rails
are not rated to any specific user weight
limitation, the bed rails or their mountings may
become deformed or broken if excessive side
pressure is exerted on the bed rails.
lMattress overlays or active therapeutic support
surfaces (TSS), which support the user on an air
mattress or specialized foam layer, may present an
increased risk of entrapment for some users. The
benefit of TSS product use must be weighed
against the potential increased risk of entrapment.
This risk judgment must be performed by a
medical professional.
lInvacare homecare beds are specifically designed
and manufactured for use in conjunction with
Invacare accessories, including bed rails.
Accessories designed by other manufacturers may
include variations in bed rail dimensions, mattress
thickness, mattress size or density or other factors
that have not been tested by Invacare. Use of
other manufacturer’s products in conjunction with
an Invacare homecare bed, may significantly
increase the risk of entrapment; as such Invacare
does not recommend their use.
Bed Rail Entrapment Risk Notification Guide