Medline Bed Assist Bar

The Medline Bed Assist Bar adult bed rails have been recalled due to a safety hazard. When these bed rails are installed on an adult's bed, there is a risk of users getting trapped either within the bed rail or between the bed rail and the mattress's side. This entrapment poses a significant danger, potentially leading to fatal asphyxiation. As a solution, consumers are advised to seek a refund for the product.

The recall was issued on May 30, 2024.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Medline Industries LP, a company based in Northfield, Illinois, are jointly declaring the recall of two models of Bed Assist Bar adult portable bed rails. These specific bed rails have been identified as potentially hazardous due to entrapment and asphyxiation risks, as users may get caught within the rail structure or in the space between the rail and the mattress. Tragically, two entrapment-related deaths have been linked to the use of these Bed Assist Bars. One incident involved a 76-year-old woman in a senior nursing facility in Iowa in July 2019, while the other fatality occurred in November 2023 and concerned an 87-year-old woman in a residential care facility in South Carolina.

The recalled bed rails are distinguishable by their model numbers, MDS6800BA and MDS6800BAH. Although both models share identical designs, MDS6800BA was sold individually, while MDS6800BAH was distributed in cases containing three units. These bed rails feature construction from black metal tubing, a rounded black foam rubber grip handle, and a fabric pouch. The brand "Medline" and the specific model number are visibly marked on a label positioned on the support frame close to the vertical section of the bed rail.

Approximately 1.5 million of these recalled bed rails were sold by Medline between July 2009 and March 2024, priced between $32 and $64. The distribution channels included Medline's websites, major online retailers like Amazon and Walmart.com, online pharmacies such as CVS.com and Walgreens.com, as well as various online medical supply stores nationwide, like Cascade Healthcare Solutions and Magic Medical. These bed rails were manufactured in China, and around 5,522 units were also sold in Canada.

Consumers are strongly advised to discontinue the use of the recalled bed rails immediately and reach out to Medline to facilitate a full refund. To ensure safety, the CPSC encourages individuals to report any incidents related to these bed rails to the agency through SaferProducts.gov.

The recall number associated with this announcement is 24-248.

Source: CPSC