Patient Safety

- Nursing Home Physical Restraints

Physical restraints can cause a number of adverse medical outcomes such as decreased mobility, impaired circulation, incontinence, pressure ulcers, bruises, increased confusion, and loss of dignity. Contrary to popular belief, restraints do not prevent falls and often contribute to injuries and death.

Utilizing the Physical Restraint Tracking Tool (available on the resources page) with an interdisciplinary team helps to focus on the specific resident, type of restraint and why the restraint is needed. Reducing physical restraints by focusing on one resident at a time works best.

Evidence from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services suggests physical restraint reduction through health care process and system redesign can improve safety. Organizations that have worked with IFMC have shown an improvement in the reduction of restraint use. IFMC partners with nursing facility staff to implement system changes that impact the identification and documentation of appropriate restraint reduction.

For more information, contact the Patient Safety Team at 1-800-383-2856.

Click here for Physical Restraint resources and publications