About this topic
Sometimes, help is needed to keep a person safe. This may mean limiting the ability to move all over. Staff may need to keep a person from reaching certain parts of the body. A medical restraint will help control a persons actions. This is important when they are not able to control them on their own. Medical restraints are only used when other methods have been tried and have not worked. A doctor must order the use of any medical restraint. ‚
There are many types of medical restraints. Some of them are: ‚
- Moving a patient to a separate room or quiet place
- Staff holding the patient still for a short time. This is a physical restraint.
- Bed restraints ¢ ˆ ’ Soft restraints, four-point restraints
- Body restraints ¢ ˆ ’ Wrist or ankle
- Side rails
- Bed or chair alarms
- Fabric body holders, safety vests, and jackets
- Lap and wheelchair belts
- Trays that clip across the front of a wheelchair or recliner
- Limb restraints
- Mittens
- Drugs to calm or quiet patients who are very upset
General
Other choices are often tried before using medical restraints. These may include: ‚
- Changing rooms
- Giving the patient another activity like watching TV
- Having someone sit with the patient to make sure of their safety
- Getting the patient involved in counseling or stress management
- Encouraging family to be more involved
Medical restraints are most often used to: ‚
- Keep patients safe. They may be used to:
- Stop a patient from hurting themselves
- Keep a patient from pulling out needed tubes and I.V. lines
- Stop patients from falling out of bed or a chair
- Remind patients not to get up without help
- Keep staff and others safe
Restraints are not used: ‚
- For punishment
- When there is not the right amount of staff to care for patients
Will there be any other care needed?
- Choose the correct type of restraint for the patients condition. This should give the patient the most movement possible while still keeping them safe.
- Closely watch the patient in restraints. Follow state laws.
- Change the patient's position each 1 to 2 hours to avoid pressure sores.
- Adjust the restraint properly. Keep the patient comfortable and in good body alignment.
- Remove the medical restraint as soon as possible.
What problems could happen?
- Injury. This may be due to the restraints not used the right way and the patient is not watched closely.
- Lung infection. This may be due to less movement and not breathing deeply.
- Emotional problems. Some patients are confused. They may feel they are being punished or not understand what is happening. Others become more upset when their motion is limited.
- Intake problems. Some patients may not feel like eating or drinking.
- Limited movement. This may cause physical problems like decrease in bone strength, tight muscles, skin sores, decreased blood flow, or blood clots.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚