The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare recently announced the voluntary recall of four different models of the manufacturer’s Bed Assist Handle and Bed Assist Rail adult portable bed rails.
Drive has received two reports of entrapment deaths associated with two of its bed assist handle bed rails (models 15064 and RTL15073). The deaths occurred in February 2011 and February 2015 and involved a 93-year-old woman at her home in California and a 92-year-old man at an assisted living facility in Canada. In both incidents, the bed rails were not securely attached to the bed, and the users became entrapped between the product and their mattress.
This recall involves four models of Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare’s adult portable bed rails: 15064, 15062, RTL15073 and RTL15063-ADJ.
The name Drive and the model number are printed on a label located on the product’s metal tubing. The rails are made of steel tubing, either in white or chrome. Models RTL15063-ADJ and RTL15073 include black non-slip padding on the grip handle and under-bed frame. Model 15062 features a wooden under-bed board attached to the grip handle. Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare sold about 496,100 of the bed rails at medical supply stores nationwide and online. The bed rails were sold from October 2007 through December 2021 for between $30 and $80. Drive Medical also sold about 68,000 units in Canada. Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare sold about 119 units in Mexico.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor, facility group.
