Human Factors and Bed Safety

Human factors in product design play an important role in home safety especially when it comes to bed safety. Often assistive technology devices (medical devices) do not meet the needs of older consumers or people with disabilities due to poor product design. Below will give you an idea of how products place demands on the user and influence safety.

DEMANDS ON USER	CONSIDERATIONS
PHYSICAL - differences        Activity level, trunk/arm strength, ROM, Chest depth	Does the product accommodate variable user capabilities.
PHYSICAL - capacity        Isometric-Concentric strength, ROM	Does the product accommodate changing (dynamic) user needs.
MOVEMENT                                Speed, Control, Coordination	Is the product designed to accommodate these variables or changing user needs.
BALANCE:                                  Static, Dynamic, Gait, Postural	Does the product increase function in key areas as the users needs change.
ATTENTION                        Selective, Dividing, Switching	Attention the user needs to use a product safely. Do use limitations or instability require too much "attention" to be safe.

 

Below shows how human factors create a tool to help accomplish tasks that change with user needs and conditions.

 

	Balance while reaching to assist in movement and physical capacity.
Balance without worrying about instability or narrow use limitations.		Grab it like you would a stair rail. No need to think about day to day physical capacity.

Learn more about FDA bed safety guidelines and avoid bed safety risks:

• Clinical Guidance For the Assessment & Implementation of Bed Rails

• Hospital Bed System Dimensional & Assessment Guidance to Reduce Entrapment  

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Updated May 23, 2008