The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on Thursday, October 29, 2026, regarding fire and entrapment hazards associated with electric hospital beds and accessories manufactured by Medline. The federal regulator reported that the equipment has been linked to two deaths and 16 serious injuries as of October 20, 2026.
Medline, a medical equipment supplier based in Northfield, Illinois, announced it is discontinuing and exiting the market for all Medline-branded beds and associated products. This exit includes homecare, bariatric, and long-term care beds, as well as hand-control pendants, mattresses, bed rails, and replacement parts. The company initially notified customers of the product removal on October 14, 2026.
According to the FDA alert, the beds' electrical components—including motor boxes and actuators—can overheat under certain conditions, such as jammed motors, fluid ingress, or the use of extension cords. This overheating can lead to smoking, sparking, melting, or fire. Additionally, the FDA identified risks of asphyxiation or entrapment if the beds are used with loose rails or if a user lays on the hand-control pendant.
Medline issued updated safety instructions on October 24, 2026, advising that current beds may remain in use until they are repaired or replaced, provided users follow specific precautions. These include unplugging the bed from the wall when not actively repositioning a patient and avoiding the use of extension cords. The company stated it is working with healthcare providers to minimize disruption while prioritizing patient safety.
This safety action affects patients and healthcare facilities using Medline-branded beds, including those in private homes, long-term care facilities, and bariatric units. The scale of the reported impact includes 16 serious injuries and two fatalities documented by October 2026. Medline, which has a market value of $43 billion, is exiting this specific product market entirely.
For individual users and caregivers, the notice changes the daily operation of these medical devices. Instead of leaving beds powered continuously, users are now instructed to plug the bed in only for adjustments and then immediately unplug it to mitigate fire risks. Consumers who purchased beds, rails, mattresses, or accessories within the last five years may be eligible for a repair, a replacement, or a full or partial refund of the original purchase price. Those with equipment older than five years remain subject to the safety instructions but may not be eligible for the same remedies.
The FDA and Medline have established a customer service line at 800-950-0128 (option 7) for those seeking to initiate a repair or refund process. While Medline has begun working with affected customers, the company has not provided a specific deadline for when all outstanding repairs or refunds will be completed.