Preparing for JCAHO- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Preparing for JCAHO- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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July 28, 2000
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In This Issue:
Teens in Training
This month's Service Hero
Refer a friend for $500
Celebration Held for Sonis
Pike Notes
Reid Ponte Appointed to DFCI Position
Preparing for JCAHO
Remembering Jane Kuras
Ask Yourself: When are Patient Restraints Necessary?
The use of patient restraints is a clinical challenge for caregivers in which measures should be taken to protect the rights, dignity, and well being of the patient. Whenever a device is used to restrain the movement of a patient's body to protect the patient or others from injury, the reason for the action, not the device, determines if it is considered a restraint. There may be instances when a patient needs to be immobilized in order to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. In that case, the immobilization would not be considered a restraint, but a standard procedure. Restraint is used only if, in the clinical judgement of the nurse and physician, the patient is at risk of causing harm to self or others and when other less restrictive measures are ineffective or inappropriate. When restraint is clinically appropriate and adequately justified, the least restrictive method that ensures patient safety should be used. Use of restraints is initiated by a physician's order or as part of a standard of care. Restraint may be initiated and discontinued by a registered nurse, physician or other staff members trained to perform these procedures. Caregivers should communicate the reasons for the restraint to the patient and family members. Once restrained, patients should be frequently monitored and assessed and this activity should be documented in their medical record.