Negative Effects Of Restraints

The Bad Affects of Physical Restraints

Restraints have been used in health care facilities for quite some time. Patients with psychological and behavioral are the prevailing candidates for restraints. As a result, restraints have been proven to cause physical and elimination problems and have also led to death. Restraints are not always effective and should not be used; they are known to cause more harm than good.

There are many different problems that can occur from the use of a restraint, some being physical. For example, a patient’s bone strength can decrease. For instance, if a patient’s is being physically restrained via lap band and have been for an extended amount of time, they are not as active therefore, a bone fracture can occur.

A decubitus ulcer caused by skin breakdown can occur from the use of a restraint. “Skin breakdown and cause sores may happen under the restraints and other parts of the body…” (Safe Use Of Restarints And Seclusion For Behavioral Managment, 2016). Similarly, if a patient is physically restrained and are not able to move about freely, their muscles can contract. As a result, they may become weak and be in an extreme amount of pain.

Physical restraints are proven to cause elimination problems for patients who are restrained for a long period of time. A patient who is physically restrained does not have access to the appropriate amount of liquids they should intake. Obviously, if someone cannot drink enough liquids and move around they can become constipated. Constipation can eventually lead to a person losing their bowel and bladder function. “ You may constipated. (unable to have a BM.) because you couldn’t drink enough liquids or move around enough. Or, you can become incontinent (in-kno-tih-nent) which means losing bowel and bladder control if you are in restraints ...” (Safe Use Of Restarints And Seclusion For Behavioral Managment, 2016).

However, some health care providers believe that physical restraints are necessary.

Their argument is that a physical restraint can prevent a violent patient from harming themselves and others. They can also be used to keep a patient in proper position during procedures. Lastly, a restraint can prevent a patient from wondering off and falling which can also result in injury. “Restraints may be used to keep a person in proper position and prevent movement or falling down during surgery or while on a stretcher. Restraints can also be used to control or prevent harmful behavior…" (Use of restraints, 2016). In contrast, many alternative methods can be used to keep a patient safe without physically restraining them. “ The environment should be modified by minimizing stimulation (e.g., lights, noise, visitors), maximizing consistency, providing safe motion activity, and verbalization, providing clear expectations of interactions and treatments…” (Restraints and Alternatives,

2007).

There have been numerous reports of deaths due to the use of physical restraints. “Among the 27353 autopsies conducted over the period of the study, there were 26 cases of death while the individual was physically restrained… (Dealths Due to Physical Restraint, 2012)
Strangulation can be result of someone who has been confined to a bed with both bed rails up and tried to get out and became strangled.

A person can also develop Pneumonia and asphyxiation from a physical restraint. “In addition , physical restraint promotes typical complications of immobilization such as decubitus ulcers, pneumonia, and leg vein thrombosis . Immobilization often causes stress and has a negative impact on cognitive skills. Improper application of restraining straps can lead to injuries such as cutaneous abrasions, bruises, soft tissue compression, neural lesions, and fractures, possibly even death due by asphyxiation…” (Dealths Due to Physical Restraint,

2012).
Although there are many reasons to use restraints, they are not always effective and should not be used. The physical and elimination problems are overwhelming as well as the deaths that have occurred due to physical restraints. As noted, there are many different alternative methods that can be implemented in order to keep patients with psychological and behavioral problems safe without using a potentially deadly physical restraint.