Physical Restraints And Physical Restrains

In October of 1998, the Courant’s survey of the 50 states identified that 142 individuals died in physical restraints or seclusion. Another study was done in four Turkish hospitals from July to September of 2005. The study’s findings were, “Nurses used either wrist, ankle, or whole body restraints at various levels. Those nurses who worked in surgical intensive care units and emergency departments and had in-service training used more physical restraint than did others. Only a third of nurses decided on physical restraint together with physicians and three-fourths tried alternative methods. Nurses reported edema and cyanosis on the wrist and arm regions, pressure ulcers on various regions, and aspiration and breathing difficulties in relation to physical restraint.

These can include mind altering medication to control a patient and physical restraints. Physical restraints are anything near or on the body which restricts movement of a patient. A physical restraint can be anything from lap buddies to vests. In his article, “Restraints: The Last Resort,” the author’s argues that physical restraints in emergency medicine should be the last resort because (1) the use of restraints or seclusion is being used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or staff retaliation, (2) That we need to discontinue the use of restraints or seclusion as soon as possible, regardless of the duration of an order, and (3) explain the reason for restraints and the procedure, including periodic release from restraints to the patient and any family members present. In this research paper, I will argue against the use of physical restraints unless someone is educated, trained, and only in certain situations, whether it may be a mind altering medication or physical restraints in emergency