7. prohibition on right of facility to restrict access to Medicaid or Medicare coverage and benefits. 42 CFR 483.25. However, it is hard to get reality to match the promise of the law. Familuies and residents have the right to attend and this is a good place to lay out problems and concerns. B. Restraint Use 1.
Some facilities are now restraint free.
Many other countries never use restraints in nursing homes. State law provides that chemical and physical restraints cannot be used unless authorized in writing by physician for a specified and limited period of time or in an emergency to protect residents from injury. In those emergency situations, the restraint must be applied by a qualified person, it must be noted in the resident's record, and the physician must be notified promptly. Federal law provides that restraints cannot be imposed for discipline or the convenience of the staff and that, except in an emergency, the physician specify the duration and circumstances under which the restraints can be used. Families often request restraints to prevent falls but as many injuries and negative outcomes occur as a result of improperly applied restraints as from the absence of restraints.