What is a common nursing intervention for patient safety?

Ensuring bed rails are up when the patient is in bed is a widely recognized nursing intervention for enhancing patient safety. Bed rails serve as a physical barrier that can help prevent patients from inadvertently falling out of bed, particularly those who may be at risk due to mobility issues, sedation, or confusion. Maintaining bed rails in the upright position when patients are resting or sleeping is part of a comprehensive safety protocol designed to minimize fall risks in healthcare settings.

While other options may contribute to a safer environment, such as having a caregiver available or encouraging patients to seek help, these interventions do not provide the direct, immediate protective measure that bed rails do. Bed rails simply act as a straightforward preventative tool, enhancing the safety of patients who may be unstable or disoriented.