Prevalence and predictors of bedrail use in an acute hospital

Tomás Flatharta, Jennifer Haugh, Stephanie M. Robinson, Shaun T. O'keeffe

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer)Articlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: to determine the prevalence and predictors of bedrail use in an acute hospital. Design and setting: overnight survey in a University teaching hospital. Subjects: Three-hundred and twenty-seven beds and patients in 14 wards. Methods: data were collected on bedrail use and on the bed system, ward and patient characteristics. Medical, nursing and physical therapy notes were examined and the night and day nurses and, if necessary, the doctors and therapists caring for the patient interviewed to determine patients' diagnoses, functional and cognitive status. Results: there were 133 (40.7%) beds with one or more raised rails. Independent predictors of bedrail use were use of electric profiling beds, confusion, reduced alertness and any difficulty with transferring from bed. The most common reported indication for bedrail use was 'to prevent rolling out of bed' (59%); 'to prevent getting out of bed' was recorded in 11% of cases. Use of bedrails was judged inappropriate in 27/133 (20.3%) patients and in 14/43 (32.6%) patients with abnormal mental status; misuse was particularly common in those with confusion or agitation [13/34 (38.2%)]. Failure to use bedrails was potentially inappropriate in 32/194 (16.5%) of those without bedrails. Conclusion: this study using individual patient data shows that the use of electric profiling beds, abnormal mental states and difficulty transferring from bed are the main predictors of bedrail use in acute hospitals. Inappropriate use of bedrails is common in those with cognitive impairment or with agitation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)801-805
Number of pages5
JournalAge and Ageing
Volume43
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2014

Keywords

  • Bedrails
  • Delirium
  • Dementia
  • Older people
  • Restraints

Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)

  • Authors
  • Flatharta, TO,Haugh, J,Robinson, SM,O'Keeffe, ST
  • O Flatharta T, Haugh J, Robinson SM, O'Keeffe ST

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