Launch of new bedrails risk assessment

A new bed rails risk assessment tool for adult inpatients will be launched on Wednesday 3rd May. 
This will replace the current tool which is automatically added on admission for all adult inpatients to the electronic medical record. This is to be completed on admission and following any change in the patients condition.

Please click here for the new bed rails risk assessment tool

Patients admitted from 3/5/23 will have the new tool applied, this does not need to be added and completed for all existing inpatients admitted prior to this date.

If the use of bedrails is not indicated, then suitable alternative interventions should be implemented - a higher level of Enhanced Interactive Care and Observation and/or the use of a low-level bed and crash mats (one each side of the bed).

Please note that low level beds and falls crash mats should not be used for patients who are mobile, due to the potential added falls risk from tripping.

The Patient Safety Team have purchased new falls crash mats to be used as the need is identified through completion of the Bedrail Risk Assessment tool. These mats have a beveled edge , which reduces the trip hazard risk associated with their use and means that wheeled equipment, such as a hoist, can be used with the mats remaining in situ.

Please click here for details of the decontamination process for crash mats

Most wards will receive a small number of mats for use. 

At Sunderland Royal Hospital additional mats will be stored within the Medical Equipment Library and will need to be requested if needed. Please ensure that the bed is at it's lowest possible height when using crash mats.

At South Tyneside District Hospital addional mats will be stored on ward 22 and accessed via the portering team if needed. Please ensure that a bed with low level functionality is used when using the mats, with the bed at its lowest height. The process for accessing a low-level bed at South Tyneside is currently by contacting the portering team. However, when the new Sidhil beds are rolled out across South Tyneside site, all beds will have low level functionality.  The roll out of the new beds at South Tyneside will commence on 4th May 2023.