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Physical Restraints in Nursing Homes

The use of physical restraints in nursing home facilities has been a heavily debated topic. Physical restraints, which include belts, lap trays, wrist restraints, vests, specialized chairs, pelvic ties and bed side rails can be dangerous and may lead to serious injuries among nursing home residents.

Restraints are sometimes necessary to ensure the safety of a patient. For example, restraints may be needed to treat the resident’s medical condition and will provide assistance in reaching a higher level of functioning. Some of these situations may include using a physical restraint to allow a confused nursing home resident to receive necessary fluids and medications and the use of positioning devices to help the resident sit properly. Physical restraints must be ordered by a physician.

Often nursing homes use physical restraints when there are other safety measures that can be taken. According to the American Medical Directors Association, the professional association of medical directors, attending physicians, and others practicing in the long term care continuum, “the use of restraints should be strictly limited to cases where restraints are needed in order to treat the resident's medical condition, and only if the restraint will assist the resident in reaching a higher level of functioning.” Under no circumstances should the restraints be used as punishment or convenience for the nursing home.

Excessive use of physical restraints at a nursing home can cause the resident to:

• Develop pressure sores, also known as bed sores
  
• Lose the ability to use the bathroom independently
  
• Have feelings of sadness or depression

The American Medical Directors Association has created questions for family members to ask nursing home facilities regarding the use of physical restraints. These questions include the following:

• How does the nursing home decide when to use physical restraints?
  
• What factors are used to determine whether restraints are still necessary?
  
• How does the facility measure the success of the restraints?
  
• What are some warning signs for complications associated with restraints?
  
• Does the nursing home have a restraint reduction policy?
  
• Will the staff help the restrained nursing home resident move as much as practical?

If you have a loved one living in a nursing home and you believe that they are being physically restrained for punishment, convenience or other unacceptable reason, contact the experienced Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers at Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C. at (757) 622-7740 or (800) 690-0235. We will review your case to help you determine if nursing home abuse exists.

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