Appropriate Use of Patient Restraint
Restraining a patient against his or her will often involves questions and concerns about medical ethics. Can patients in fact be restrained? And if so, under what circumstances is such restraint permissible?
The Joint Commission provides guidance to hospitals, nursing facilities, and other healthcare institutions on this matter through the publication of its Nonviolent Crisis Intervention protocols. According to these guidelines, physical intervention in the form of restraint can be used only as a last resort, when a patient becomes a danger to himself or others. While the Joint Commission does not recommend any particular extent of time during which a patient can be restrained, the chief criterion for caregivers ought to be the patient's safety as well as the safety of others near the patient.
The Convenience of Safety Mitts
The E-Z View Padded Safety Mitts are an excellent resource for healthcare professionals who interact with patients prone to unruly behavior either because they are angry or frightened. Such patients pose a risk to themselves because they may pull on their IV or nasogastric tubes. Other patients may pick or scratch their skin, resulting in self-injury.
Made from a soft polyester material, the E-Z View padded Safety Mitts (sold in a pair) come in a single universal size and are secured around the wrist with a D-ring fastening assembly. The Velcro® attachment flap permits caregivers to access the patient's hands without having to remove the mitts. Maintenance is easy. Simply wash and dry, though be sure that laundering temperatures do not exceed 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
