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Warning
• Care must be taken when positioning and adjusting side rails to ensure that
any spaces between the side rails, mattress or bed frame will not allow
entrapment of the occupant’s head or body. In addition, consideration
should be given to the size and physiological condition of the occupant
and an assessment undertaken to ensure that the spacing between the
bars of the side rails are not wide enough to present a potential risk of
entrapment and / or asphyxiation. All staff responsible are to be aware
that increased vigilance is required when nursing patients in beds fitted
with side rails.
8.11 Checking the Bed
The bed is now fully assembled. Before it is put into use, ensure the bed has been
correctly assembled by carrying out the following checks:
• Are the locking collars on the corners of the bed securely in their locked position
(refer to the warning label on each locking collar)?
• Are the two leg section mattress platform hand-wheels fully tightened?
• Have the two clevis pins been passed through the bed’s central join and secured
with ‘R’ clips and spacers?
• Has all packaging been removed, e.g. cable ties / hook and loop tape securing the
platform sections?
• Are the cables free of all moving parts of the bed and is there sufficient free cable
to allow for movement?
• Is the bed clear of obstructions?
• If fitted, are the fixings securing the integral side rail channels fully tightened?
• If fitted, do the integral side rails raise / lower smoothly and lock automatically
when raised to the highest position?
• Has a risk assessment been performed on the suitability of the bed (and any
ancillary equipment) for the user?
FOR AUTHORISED PERSONNEL REFERENCE ONLY
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