Written by Mike Price, OT
About one-third of all falls at home happen in the bedroom, and most of those occur getting into and out of bed. If someone in your home sleeps in a hospital bed and is a restless sleeper or needs something to hold on to for balance when transferring to and from the bed, a hospital bed side rail is a necessary piece of safety equipment at your house.
 | 1) Universal Full-Length, Spring-loaded Telescoping Side Rails View Product |
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Available for stationary ad adjustable hospitable beds, #5 on our list of best hospital bed side rails are the EZ Click Safety Bed Rails by Stander.
Whether using these rails for leverage to change positions in bed, transfer on and off the bed, or balance when standing or walking near the bed, this transfer handle can assist patients weighing up to 500 pounds. With a quick latch system to raise and lower, and a half moon shape these rails function great for those who need minimal support and just require that extra bit of aid to get up. However, with their firm attachment to the bed frame and their stable construction, they are useful for those that need increased assistance as well. To reduce the risk of entrapment, they’re designed with minimal open space leaving just enough room to grab comfortably and can be easily removed when not needed to reduce the risk further.
No extra tools are needed to install the transfer handle, only the included hardware. The simple setup and quick removal of the rails from their base make it easy to change the sheets or access the bed in emergency situations. In contrast to full-length bed rails, users can pull themselves up to a seated position and then swing their legs over the side without these compact rails being in the way.
This transfer handle made our list because of its sturdy construction, compact profile, and compatibility with adjustable hospital beds.
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Also designed for both stationary and adjustable hospital beds, our #4 pick is the Halo Safety Ring from the aptly named Halo Mobility Solutions.
This specialized side rail is best for a patient who doesn’t need a lot of restriction and who wants to maintain their independence by getting in and out of bed without the assistance of a caregiver. It’s an appropriate stability aid for anyone who struggles in or out of bed. The all-steel construction makes them sturdy enough to safely accommodate users weighing up to 250 pounds, while the unique shape allows for easy lifting and pulling from whatever grip is most comfortable to the user. These rails work with either adjustable electric beds (this does not include Sleep Number brand beds) or stationary hospital beds.
These hospital bed side rails can be ordered for one or both sides of the bed, and they feature a small shape leaving ample real estate on the edge of the bed. Held in place by a steel beam and pinch fittings at the edge of the bed frame, this sturdy bed rail made our list because of its ease of use and versatility working with electric-style beds or standard home hospital beds, adding a layer of security for anyone at risk of a bed fall. (NOTE: these rails are not compatible with Sleep Number brand beds)
With its multiple positions, the Steel Assist Bed Rails for Hospital Bed by Invacare has earned the #3 spot on our list.
These steel hospital bed side rails have guard, assist, and transfer positions that provide user convenience and caregiver access. They can be positioned to keep you from falling out of bed while sleeping, provide a handhold to help you reposition yourself in bed, and assist with stability and balance while getting in and out of bed.
They have a quick-release button and are easy to add or remove. The powder-coated 1-inch welded steel construction ensures years of reliable use. With 36 inches between the rails, entrapment risk is minimized. A hospital bed at home might be a temporary need, or it might be a permanent fixture. Built to match Invacare Homecare beds, these rails provide an attractive, uniform look that are part of a comfortable and safe user experience.
The multiple positions and the way this stability aid fits onto your bed and into your home make it our #3 pick on our list of best side rails for homecare hospital beds.
Preventing entrapment, our #2 pick of Half Length Side Rails from Drive Medical specifically fit Drive Medical hospital beds.
The unique no-gap design of these half-length side rails for homecare hospital beds keeps users from getting lodged between the bars, which is a consideration when purchasing side rails. Each order comes with two rails constructed of 1-inch steel that are easy to install. They provide maximum fall protection when the bed is elevated.
These rails have an updated design that keeps them from shaking. The brown vein finish doesn’t have an institutional look, and makes these rails easy to maintain. The chrome finish on the second and fifth bars provides easy scratch-proof movement of the adjustment bracket. The manufacturer backs these durable side rails with a limited lifetime warranty.
Decreasing the fall and entrapment risks, our #2 choice for side rails are specifically designed for Drive Medical hospital beds, but they will fit most steel-framed beds.
Our #1 choice, the Universal Full-Length, Spring-loaded Telescoping Side Rails by Medline, can be installed on any link surface hospital bed.
Installation of these precision-made chrome-plated steel hospital bed side rails is easy, tool-free, and ensures a perfect fit. The rails are adjustable for security and convenience, and the vertical bars provide support when the user wants to sit up. Additional support comes from the spring-loaded crossbars that can be attached and removed easily, with an adjustable length range of 39.5 to 57.5 inches.
Providing protection along the length of the bed, which is ideal for preventing bed falls among sleepwalkers or users who tend to roam, these rails deliver quiet, smooth, one-hand, one-step operation. They come in a package of two for superior protection.
The side rails for homecare hospital beds at the top of our list provide the highest level of fall protection, are highly adjustable, provide sturdy support for transfers, and will fit any link surface hospital bed.
When you need assistance with repositioning, preventing falls, and getting in and out of bed, side rails for your homecare hospital bed can provide a solution. Things to consider when choosing the best hospital bed side rail for you include:
The age, size, weight, and medical condition of the user all contribute to determining the best hospital bed side rail for your situation. Options include half, full, telescoping, and bariatric sizes and lengths.
Full-length side rails offer greater protection, but should not be used with confused patients who might try to climb over the rails, which presents a significant fall risk.
Half-length side rails for homecare hospital beds are great to help users reposition themselves in bed without assistance, and they don’t prevent getting out of bed.
Solid plastic side rails including grip handles don’t have rungs to get tangled in, so they greatly reduce the risk of entrapment.
Assist bars that are similar to half-length bed side rails assist with getting in and out of bed, but they have a narrow shape that makes them less useful for repositioning while in bed.
Telescoping rails telescope with the movement of the bed. They have crossbars and a spring-loaded release that adjusts the rails up or down.
For some a fixed bed rail could be an annoyance that limits the motion and has less options than those provided by an adjustable bed rail.
A majority of rail are adjustable considering patients typically have caregivers or are capable enough to manage the rails on their own.
However, fixed bed rails offer more security for patients who are prone to confusion or in danger of falls as they don't risk improper adjustments and are set in place.
Whn looking to add side rails to a hospital bed, the aid a patient aready gets is key to finding a good rail. Day to day, how much aid does the user require?
Are they alone at home and only need some aid to stand out of bed, do do they and a caregiver need a better grip to help them sit and stand, or will these rails aid in standing and keep them from falling out of bed?
Some patients could do well with simple rails while others may need something more and it is important to consider what aid they already have.
A medical hospital bed is used in clinical settings, with less attention to a personal experience and more attention paid to structure and function and serving consecutive users. They serve users with serious medical issues and their caregivers. The head and foot of the bed adjust and it can be raised from or lowered toward the floor. (NOTE: The bed rails in this article are not compatible with medical hospital bills.)
A home care bed will serve an individual user, so the requirements of the patient and the home environment will dictate the features and functions best suited for the situation. The user can elevate the head and foot sections of the bed, but they don’t have the look and feel of a professional clinical-grade hospital bed. The rails in this article fit this style of bed.
Side rails are stability aids users can grasp for support when changing positions in bed, getting out of bed, standing up, or getting back into bed.
No, because there are times when side rails need to be lowered for caregiver access to patients. In other situations, side rails - especially full-length rails - can hinder exiting the bed. It is also usually easier to make a bed when rails are down.
If the intent is to use side rails to prevent a patient from voluntarily getting out of bed, then the rails would be considered a restraint. If the intent is to prevent a fall out of bed, then side rails would not be considered a restraint. If a user can’t physically get out of bed whether or not the rails are up, they would not be considered a restraint.
To provide balance and support for people who are at risk for falling but who want to maintain some of their personal independence, side rails for homecare hospital beds are a great solution.
All of the side rails on our list are quality-built, and our number one pick delivers on every level. It provides stellar fall protection with its sturdy design, it’s adjustable for a perfect fit, and it will work with any link surface hospital bed.
Check out our complete line of side rails for homecare hospital beds. For more information on how to choose the best side rails for your situation, visit our Homecare Hospital Beds And Mattresses blog located on Caregiver University.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
