We recently filed suit on behalf of the estate of Shirley Karlin who choked to death when she became trapped between the mattress and side rails in her bed at an adult foster care facility in Farmington Hills. She had been at the facility for less than 24 hours when she was found hanging from the side of her bed.
Side rails are a restraint under state and federal law. A doctor’s order is required to use them. There was no physician order here for side rails. When you see side rails in use in a home health care setting, always ask, who ordered them and why are they being used.