GENERAL MANUAL POLICY

Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home believes in quality of life being our priority and in the dignity, worth and uniqueness of each individual.

We believe in providing a safe environment where risks are minimized; however we respect the aging process, in providing for quality of life for our residents and in their freedom to make choices.

Therefore we believe in an environment of least restraint; that restraints should only be a temporary measure, after all other interventions have proven unsuccessful; and in the use of least restrictive restraints.

Physical Restraints Will Only Be Used at Saint Vincent’s IF:

• The resident record contains a documented assessment (completed Least Restraint Assessment and Intervention Record (Appendix A) by the Registered Nurse(RN)/ Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN) , AND
• A resident exhibits behaviour that would endanger their safety or the safety of others, AND
• As a last resort, after trying alternative methods to manage unsafe behaviour, AND
• With a physician’s order, AND
• After discussion and obtaining of signed consent from resident or next of kin, AND
• The benefits of the physical restraint are shown to clearly outweigh the risks of not using the restraint, AND
• Restraint checks are performed and documented as per agency policy by members of the nursing staff, AND
• The method of least restraint is always the method chosen, AND
• There is a regular and documented plan for evaluation of restraint use as per agency policy on the Resident Care Plan.

Physical Restraints Approved for Use at Saint Vincent’s include:

• Chair lap belts, including 4-point positional belts  – front closing ONLY
• Chairs that prevent rising (if the intent of the chair is to prevent movement)
• Geri chair or wheelchair with tray in place
• Braking of wheelchair/gerichair with the intent to restrain the resident

NOTE: If any of the above are used at the request of the resident and removed by staff at the request of the resident; for the purpose of this policy, will NOT be considered restraints. However, restraint checks are performed and documented as per agency policy/resident care plan. . The RN/LPN must record in the resident record that restraint (e.g lap belt) is applied at the request of the resident.