Adding additional grab bars as a possible strategy for safer hospital stays.

Patient room design should fulfill the safety needs of most patients. This article addresses the safety concerns related to grab bars and handrails (a United States-based review) and describes our proposed innovative approaches to promote safer hospital stays. The fixed augmentation of high-low grab bars and handrails can economically prevent inpatient falls in the areas commonly used by patients (e.g., patient rooms, patients' bathrooms, and hallways). The optimum grab bar and handrail configurations require further research. Revisions to guidelines for health care facilities related to grab bars and handrails should allow a range that respond to age- and disability-specific needs.