Physical or Chemical Restraints Could be Harming Your Loved One

When people are asked to describe the worst thing that could happen to their loved one in a nursing home, the image of a beloved family member tied down in a bed, unable to move or protect themselves, might spring to mind.  This type of abuse was rampant for many years in nursing homes throughout the country.  This is the reason that there was a law passed in 1987 outlawing this type of restraint, in addition to chemical restraints in the form of medications to sedate or immobilize the patient, unless the restraint is medically necessary and is administered under the strict oversight of the prescribing physician.  However, this does not mean that this type of abuse does not occur.

There are exceptions that are made to allow the use of physical or chemical restraints in an emergency situation; however, the use of restraints generally is only permitted to protect the nursing home resident or other people in the facility.  There must be a detailed plan prescribed by the physician for the use of the restraints, including duration and monitoring requirements.  The situations that typically lead to the use of restraints include:

• A resident has a history of falls and is at risk of serious injury;
• A resident has done harm to himself or others in the past;
• A resident requires antipsychotic medication; and
• A resident is cognitively impaired.

The guidelines surrounding the use of chemical or physical restraints indicate that this type of restraint should be a temporary solution or when there are no other options.  The truth is that in a nursing home where there is not enough staff or the employees are not adequately trained and supervised, this type of abuse may still occur.

Some of the common physical restraints include:

• Bedrails used to keep a resident in a bed;
• Wrist and ankle restrains;
• Vests or jackets that may be used to confine a resident to a bed or chair;
• Locking trays on chairs;
• Securing a resident in a bed with the use of sheets tucked into the mattress; and
• Mittens or other bindings that interfere with a resident’s use of his hands.

Chemical restraints are simply the administration of a medication that renders the resident immobile or otherwise restricts the motions and/or ability to communicate of the resident.  Some of the more common drugs used for this purpose are Lorazepam, Risperdal, and Haldol.

There are many different types of harm that result from the use of chemical and physical restraints, which is particularly horrific in elderly residents who require as much exercise and stimulation as possible to fight against muscle loss and depression.  Common injuries resulting from restraints include:

• Bed sores;
• Muscle loss and weakness;
• Bruises and abrasions;
• Edema;
• Fractures;
• Head injuries;
• Respiratory infections;
• Sepsis;
• Disorientation; and
• Depression.

There are no benefits to restraining a patient who does not require restraints.

If you have a family member who lives in a nursing home and you fear that he or she is suffering as the result of the improper use of physical or chemical restraints or some other form of negligence or abuse, it is critical to get help for him as soon as possible. Once your loved one is safe, you should contact the compassionate and experienced nursing home attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC.  We are here to discuss how to best help your loved one and hold the facility staff and administration responsible for the harm that your loved one suffered.  Please call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.  At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.