When should restraints be used, and what policy governs their use?

When should restraints be used, and what policy governs their use?

• A. Whenever a patient is agitated, with family consent.
• B. As a first-line measure to prevent falls, with periodic review.
• C. Only as a last resort when there is imminent risk, with physician order, reassessment, and continuous monitoring per least-restrictive policy.
• D. Without a physician order if the patient agrees.

Answer: (C)

Restraints should be used only as a last resort when there is imminent risk of harm and less-restrictive options have been tried or are not sufficient. The decision must involve a physician or licensed practitioner to provide an order, and once in place there must be prompt reassessment and continuous monitoring to ensure the patient’s safety and well-being. The approach should follow the least-restrictive policy, meaning every effort is made to protect the patient while minimizing restrictions and shortening the time restraints are in place. This isn’t appropriate as a first response to agitation, nor is it acceptable to rely on family consent or patient agreement alone to authorize restraints. Those factors don’t replace professional authorization, ongoing evaluation, or the requirement for monitoring. Restraints are a tool for safety, used judiciously and temporary, with the aim of restoring safety while respecting the patient’s dignity.

Restraints should be used only as a last resort when there is imminent risk of harm and less-restrictive options have been tried or are not sufficient. The decision must involve a physician or licensed practitioner to provide an order, and once in place there must be prompt reassessment and continuous monitoring to ensure the patient’s safety and well-being. The approach should follow the least-restrictive policy, meaning every effort is made to protect the patient while minimizing restrictions and shortening the time restraints are in place.

This isn’t appropriate as a first response to agitation, nor is it acceptable to rely on family consent or patient agreement alone to authorize restraints. Those factors don’t replace professional authorization, ongoing evaluation, or the requirement for monitoring. Restraints are a tool for safety, used judiciously and temporary, with the aim of restoring safety while respecting the patient’s dignity.