Medline Industries, a medical supply company, is recalling approximately 1.5 million portable adult bed rails in the United States and Canada due to reports of two entrapment deaths associated with the products.
The recall affects two models of Medline’s “Bed Assist Bars,” which can pose a serious risk of entrapment and death by asphyxiation, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in a Thursday announcement.
Users of these bed rails can become trapped within the bed rail itself or between the product and the side of the mattress when it is attached to a bed. The CPSC reported that Medline has received two reports of entrapment deaths in the U.S. related to the recalled Bed Assist Bars. In 2019, a 76-year-old woman died in an Iowa senior nursing facility, and in 2023, an 87-year-old woman died at a South Carolina residential care facility.
Additionally, one injury in the U.S. has been reported, according to Health Canada’s Thursday announcement. As of Monday, no injuries or incidents in Canada had been reported to Medline.
Between July 2009 and March 2024, Medline sold approximately 1.5 million of the now-recalled Bed Assist Bars in the U.S. through its own websites and major online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. The bed rails cost between $32 and $64. In Canada, more than 5,500 units were sold between February 2013 and March 2024.
The recalled bed rails were manufactured in China and can be identified by two model numbers: MDS6800BA and MDS6800BAH.
Both the CPSC and Health Canada are urging consumers who own these products to stop using them immediately and contact Medline to request a refund. The recall serves as a reminder of the importance of product safety and the potential risks associated with certain medical devices, especially those used by elderly or vulnerable individuals.
Consumers should remain vigilant and stay informed about product recalls to ensure their safety and the safety of their loved ones.
By promptly responding to recalls and following the instructions provided by the CPSC and Health Canada, consumers can help prevent further incidents and protect themselves from potentially life-threatening hazards.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.