Medline pulls entire branded bed range, offering repairs, replacements and refunds after seven deaths

Medline is withdrawing its whole line of own-brand beds and related equipment from the market, leaving it to work out how many customers will be repaired, re-equipped or reimbursed. The notice, which the US Food and Drug Administration published on 13 November 2026, does not say how many units are involved or what the programme will cost.

The action began on 14 October. Medline cites a possible fire hazard and a risk of patients becoming trapped, either of which could cause injury or death. By 8 November it had received reports of seven deaths and 35 serious injuries. The scope covers beds, rails, mattresses and accessories, including pendants and motor boxes, sold in the US and Canada between 2011 and 2026.

Buyers include durable medical equipment providers, long-term care facilities and individual end users. Medline says some existing beds may be eligible for repair and can then be used according to their instructions for use. For items that cannot be fixed, it says it will assess eligibility for replacement or a full or partial refund of the purchase price. Remedies may be limited to products bought in the past five years. The notice gives no figures for how many units fall inside that window.

Until a bed is fixed or swapped, Medline says it can stay in use if the updated instructions are followed. The bed should be unplugged, and may be connected only while a patient is being repositioned. Extension cords are barred, and a second person should help where possible. Medline sent letters on 14 October and revised ones on 24 October. It says it will soon issue visual customer guides, with SKUs and label details on its recall page. Eligibility checks go through the supplying provider or distributor, or through Medline's recall line for direct purchasers. Users must not alter the beds outside a Medline-authorised repair, and adverse events can be reported to FDA MedWatch.