At the time of the transfer, it had been documented that the patient was confused and unsteady on her feet. Each year about 12,000 older Americans die as a result of a fall. She had a documented history of noncompliance with these instructions that in the hospital necessitated restraint use. Restraints may be physical or chemical. Chemical restraint involves the use of psychotropic drugs or sedatives or paralytic agents.
Physical restraint involves the use of physical or mechanical devices to restrain movement.
The use of Chemical, Physical or Mechanical restraints has for decades been coming under scrutiny. Restraint use has been strongly tied to abuse, misuse, death and injury. For the Nurse, the use of restraints, minimizes the chances of a patient injuring themselves or others. Judicious use can assist in maintaining control of an otherwise uncontrollable patient. Many a nurse has been injured in the line of duty because a facility either did not support restraint use, a family member may have objected or a physician simply refused to write an order for them.