Who is responsible for assessing beds and accessories used in home healthcare?
The HBSW documents do not assign such a responsibility. However, the recommenders (e.g., clinician, case manager) and suppliers (e.g., manufacturer, renter) of these devices should be aware of the potential for patient entrapment and use the HBSW documents to guide their actions and upgrade their systems. Question 28: Do bed accessories (clinical or consumer purchased) need to be tested and reviewed as bed rails would be, regardless of whether they are used in conjunction with a hospital bed or a private consumer bed? Answer: HBSW recommends that clinicians first assess the patient relative to the bed system so that bed systems and accessories are recommended for use based on the potential for entrapment and other clinical factors. Many consumer bed accessories, such as “undermattress side rails” or transfer poles, are not now regulated by FDA. However, the HBSW/FDA guidance document is intended for use as general advice, not as regulation of bed systems, which include the bed frame, m
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