NEW YORK — Medical supply company Medline Industries is recalling some 1.5 million portable adult bed rails across the U.S. and Canada, following two reports of entrapment deaths associated with the products.
The recall impacts two models of Medline’s “Bed Assist Bars.” According to a Thursday announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, users of these bed rails can become entrapped within the bed rail itself or between the product and the side of a mattress when it’s attached to a bed.
This poses “a serious entrapment hazard and risk of death by asphyxiation,” the CPSC notes.
To date, the Commission added, Medline has received two reports of entrapment deaths associated with the recalled Bed Assist Bars in the U.S — involving a 76-year-old woman who died in an Iowa senior nursing facility in 2019 and a 87-year-old woman who died at a South Carolina residential care facility in 2023.
One additional injury in the U.S. has also been reported, according to Health Canada’s Thursday announcement. No injuries or incidents in Canada were reported to Medline as of Monday, Health Canada noted.
Medline sold about 1.5 million of the now-recalled Bed Assist Bars from July 2009 through March 2024 in the U.S. — through its own websites and major retailers online, including Amazon and Walmart. They cost between $32 and $64. More than 5,500 were additionally sold in Canada between February 2013 and March 2024.
The recalled bed rails, which were manufactured in China, can be identified by two model numbers: MDS6800BA and MDS6800BAH.
The CPSC and Health Canada urges consumers in possession of these products to stop using them immediately — and contact Medline to request a refund.
The Associated Press reached out to Northfield, Illinois-based Medline for statement Thursday.
Medline Industries, a leading manufacturer of medical equipment, has issued a recall of 1.5 million adult bed rails after two incidents of entrapment deaths were reported. The recall comes as a response to the tragic incidents and aims to prevent any further harm to patients using the bed rails.
The first incident occurred when a patient became trapped between the bed rail and the mattress, leading to suffocation. The second incident involved a patient who slipped through the gap between the bed rail and the mattress and suffered fatal injuries. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of adult bed rails and prompted Medline Industries to take immediate action.
The recalled bed rails were sold under various brand names and were distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities across the country. The affected bed rails were manufactured between January 2015 and December 2020 and are primarily used in hospital beds and long-term care facilities.
According to Medline Industries, the issue with the bed rails is related to a design flaw that creates a gap between the rail and the mattress, allowing patients to become trapped or slip through. The company is urging healthcare facilities to stop using the recalled bed rails immediately and to contact Medline Industries for a replacement or refund.
In response to the recall, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to healthcare providers and patients about the potential dangers of using faulty bed rails. The FDA is advising healthcare facilities to inspect their bed rails for any signs of damage or defects and to take appropriate action to ensure patient safety.
Patients and their families are also being urged to be vigilant when using bed rails and to report any incidents of entrapment or injury to healthcare providers. It is important for patients to be aware of the risks associated with using bed rails and to take precautions to prevent accidents.
In light of these incidents, Medline Industries is working closely with healthcare facilities to ensure that all affected bed rails are removed from use and replaced with safer alternatives. The company is also conducting a thorough investigation into the root cause of the design flaw to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Overall, the recall of 1.5 million adult bed rails serves as a reminder of the importance of patient safety in healthcare settings. It is crucial for healthcare providers, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies to work together to identify and address potential risks to prevent harm to patients. By taking swift action in response to these incidents, Medline Industries is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of patients using their products.
