They follow legislation in December that gives elderly nursing home residents and their families a greater voice in the use of rails. The legislation still leaves the final say to doctors. Farmington Hills attorney Jules Olsman, a critic of bed rails, was effusive in his praise. Advocates for elderly people have long criticized bed rails, saying nursing homes overuse them to restrain residents. Nationally, there have been more than 200 deaths from bed rails since 1985.
Injuries can occur when residents fall into wide gaps between the rails and mattress.
The new rules require that the distance between bed rail slats not exceed 4.5 inches, and the space between a rail and mattress not exceed 2.5 inches. Lireka Joseph, of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said the FDA is developing a device that would allow nursing homes to test whether a given bed and bed rail are compatible.