Using Hospital Bed Side Rails Safely: Raising, Lowering and What to Watch For
Hospital bed side rails help, but only when used properly. Here is how to raise them, lower them and keep an eye on them at home.
Side rails are among the most handled parts of a hospital bed. The patient grips them to turn, the carer raises them before leaving the room, and the family lowers them to help with meals. Because they are used so often, it is easy to forget that side rails also need to be used the right way.
This article covers raising and lowering side rails safely, when they should be up, and the signs to watch for. Whether the rails should stay up for a particular patient is worth discussing with the doctor, nurse or physiotherapist treating them, because every patient is different.
What Side Rails Are For
A side rail is a barrier along the edge of the bed. It is not a device for tying down or restraining a patient. Its job is support and a reminder.
As a handhold
Many patients use the side rail to hold on to when turning or shifting position. For patients who can still move a little, this helps them stay independent for small things.
As a barrier while the carer works
When the carer is changing a sheet or turning the patient, the rail on the far side stops the patient from rolling off the edge. That is especially useful when only one carer is at home.
Which models have side rails
KatilCare's Electric Auto hospital bed comes with built-in side rails, along with five adjustable positions, Trendelenburg and an emergency lowering function. It rents at RM580 a month, with a purchase price of RM3,200. For the manual beds, the Standard (rental RM225, purchase RM1,250) and the Flexi II (rental RM325, purchase RM1,800), ask us on WhatsApp about the side rail arrangement for the model you choose before you book.
Raising and Lowering Them Safely
Every side rail design is a little different. Ask the delivery team to show you how yours works when the bed is installed, and try it yourself before the patient gets in.
Raising a side rail
- Make sure the patient's hands, arms and legs are in the middle of the bed, away from the edge.
- Lift the rail with both hands until it is fully up.
- Listen or feel for the lock click, then give it a small shake to be sure it is locked.
Lowering a side rail
- Tell the patient first so they are not leaning on the rail.
- Hold the rail with one hand and release the lock with the other.
- Lower it slowly; never let it drop on its own.
Never leave a rail halfway
A rail that is not fully locked can drop suddenly when the patient leans on it. Fully up or fully down, never in between.
What to Watch For
Side rails are useful, but they are no substitute for supervision. A few things are worth keeping an eye on.
The gap between rail and mattress
Check that the mattress fits snugly on the bed frame and does not leave a large gap at the edge. KatilCare's monthly rental includes a Hopkins mattress fitted with the bed. If you change to a different mattress, such as a ripple air mattress, which costs extra, ask us whether it suits the bed.
Patients who try to climb over
Some patients, especially those who are confused or restless at night, may try to climb over the rails to get out of bed. If this happens, tell the medical team. They can advise a safer approach for that patient, such as lowering the bed to its lowest height when the patient is left alone.
Things that get caught
- Do not hang bags, cloths or charging cables on the side rails.
- Make sure tubing and cables are not pinched when a rail goes up.
- Keep thick, trailing blankets away from the locking mechanism.
Signs a rail needs checking
If a rail no longer locks firmly, wobbles more than usual or makes odd noises, stop relying on it. Normal wear and tear on a rented bed is repaired or replaced free of charge. Send us a short video on WhatsApp.
Compare and ask
See all three beds with their rental and purchase prices on our homepage. Delivery and installation are free in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, including Petaling Jaya. For other states such as George Town or Bandaraya Melaka, delivery is RM100–RM500 and we quote it on WhatsApp before you book.