Long-Term Care: Bedrails And CMS Requirements

May 30, 2024
60 Mins
Kim Maryniak
$199.00
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$299.00
$349.00
$299.00
$199.00
$299.00
$199.00
$199.00
$299.00
$299.00
$199.00
$299.00

The overuse of bed rails, particularly in environments with vulnerable populations, have created incidents where resident safety has been compromised.  The use of rails must be appropriate to the bed used and meet safety standards to prevent entrapment.  Entrapment occurs when a person is entangled or trapped within a space in or around a bed rail.  Resident injury or even death has occurred as a result of entrapment with bed rails.  Standard or automatic use of bed rails without individualization to the resident can affect resident autonomy.  Bed rails may also become a form of restraint when improperly used. 

There are appropriate reasons for the use of bed rails for safety and mobility.  Prior to use, assessment and alternative measures must be utilized.  Additionally, the informed consent of the resident or representative is required before use.  The beds and rails must be evaluated by the facility management department.  Provider orders must also reflect the individualized need for bed rails.  Ongoing assessments of the continued need, in addition to monitoring of the equipment are also required.

Regulations regarding the safe use of bedrails in long-term care have changed over the years, with an increased focus on appropriate use for resident safety.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have structured requirements for bedrails within the State Operations Manual, appendix PP.  For long-term care facilities, failure to meet these regulations can cause financial penalties and will affect accreditation.  Continued non-compliance will result in enforcement actions up to and including termination from participating in Medicaid and/or Medicare services

Webinar Objectives

This webinar will provide an overview of CMS requirements for assessment, ordering, monitoring, and appropriate use of bed rails in long-term care facilities.  Recommendations for policies, procedures, and assessment tools will be provided.

Webinar Agenda
  • History of bed rails, including safety concerns and incidents
  • Safety inspections
  • Initial assessment of residents
  • Alternatives to bed rail use
  • Requirements for individualized orders
  • Continued resident assessment
  • Ongoing monitoring of equipment
  • Conclusion
Webinar Highlights

After completion of this program, the participant will be able to:

  • Identify the safety hazards related to use of bed rails
  • Describe the CMS requirements for:
    • Safety inspection of beds and bed rails
    • Resident assessment prior to use of bed rails
    • Alternatives to bed rails
    • Components of provider orders for bed rails
    • Ongoing resident assessment regarding bed rail usage
    • Regular monitoring of beds and bed rail equipment
Who Should Attend

Target audience includes providers, nurses, nursing assistants, and facility management.

Kim Maryniak

Kim Maryniak

Kim Maryniak, PhD, RNC-NIC, NEA-BC has over 33 years of nursing experience in medical/surgical, psychiatry, pediatrics, progressive care, long-term care, and adult and neonatal intensive care.  She has been a staff nurse, charge nurse, educator, instructor, manager, director, and chief nursing officer. Kim graduated with a nursing diploma from Foothills Hospital School of Nursing in Calgary, Alberta in 1989.  She achieved her Bachelor in Nursing through Athabasca University, Alberta in 2000, her Master of Science in Nursing through University of Phoenix in 2005, and her PhD in Nursing through University of Phoenix in 2018.  Kim is certified in Neonatal Intensive Care…

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