Question

This week, we will discuss Do No Harm laws as well as the financial impact of our aging population on long-term care services.

• Take a position as to whether nursing homes should have the authority to restrain a resident.
• Next, determine who should be held liable if the resident sustains injuries while being restrained.
• Provide a rationale for your response.
• And give references used.

Answer 1

Nursing home residents must not be restrained. if it is necessary in some cases can be restrained but not more than 8 hours. physical restraint only be used to ensure physical safety of a resident especially from fall and other injuries.

Only the medical practitioner , who is taking care of the patient can take decision to restrain a patient. isolated patient should not restrain. The medical practitioner should assess the patient before and after restraint, a consent must be obtained from patient or relatives.

According to nursing home reform act (1987) if a resident sustain injury or abuse the medical practitioner and the nursing home may be held responsible especially intentional abuse , negligence ,failure to provide food and water, attentoin ,medication.

Special care should be provided to the needy especially old age and other disease condition should be taking care properly. before restraint a resident proper assessement is very important. monitoring every hour, avoidance of injury , medical monitoring and treatment are few key to avoid such situations. skilled nursing and therapy care can be performed to manage and evaluate the care given.