Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup (HBSW)

In April 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in partnership with representatives from the hospital bed industry, national healthcare organizations, patient advocacy groups and other federal agencies formed the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup (HBSW).  The workgroup's goal is to improve the safety of hospital beds for patients* in all health care settings who are most vulnerable to the risk of entrapment.

Click on any of the following links for further information on various resources made available through the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup.

Documents open in PDF.

A Guide to Bed Safety

Clinical Guidance for the Assessment and Implementation of Bed Rails in Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, and Home Care Settings

"Do No Harm"-  Order form for video produced by AARP for the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup and distributed by the Kendal® Corporation.

To order online, click here.

*The term patient refers to patients in hospitals, residents in long term care facilities, and clients in home care settings.