Bedrail Asphyxiation Averted in Washington Nursing Home
Claiming that the penalty for putting a resident in danger of a grusome death by bedrail asphyxiation is "a little harsh", the Garden Village nursing home in Yakima, Washington is appealing a recent citation by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services. The bedrail safety violation was uncovered recently during a routine inspection. Garden Village was cited when an inspector found that a bed mattress was too far away from the bed rails, increasing the likelihood of patient entrapment. While the resident using the bed did not have any "involuntary" movements, the facility acknowledged the problem and fixed it immediately. The violation was reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As a penalty, the Center determined that Medicare reimbursement for new patients at the facility would be suspended for thirty days. Facility spokesman, Steve Kaczynski, complained "We thought it was a little harsh for one bed". Further, he stated that the nursing home would continue to accept new patients despite the suspension imposed. Garden Village is appealing the citation.
Bedrail asphyxiation has been a problem that has plagued nursing homes for years. In 1995, the FDA issued an alert warning all nursing homes that certain residents were at risk for becoming entrapped between the mattress and bedrails of their bed. Nursing homes were given a call to action to ensure the safety of residents who had siderails on their bed. Unfortunately, some residents were not protected and died. More on bedrail safety to come.
