Medline electric beds pose fire hazard after 2 deaths, FDA warns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that electric hospital beds sold by medical equipment supplier Medline can pose a fire hazard, following two deaths and serious injuries to 16 users. Medline, based in Northfield, Illinois, issued an “urgent” safety notice instructing customers to stop using the beds and other products unless they have been modified first. The beds use built-in electric motors and remote controls to adjust patient positioning. Under certain conditions—such as when motors or components jam—the company said electrical parts can overheat, leading to smoking, melting, burning and fire. The FDA alert also warned that using accessories can create an asphyxiation or entrapment risk. Medline advised vendors to halt sales and said it is ending production of these beds and exiting the market.