Most of the things that happen in a nursing home are a bit of a mystery, and the public knows little about what life is like for residents of a skilled care facility. One of the most prevalent images of life in a nursing home is the utilization of restraints on elderly residents. Below is a brief explanation of restraint usage in nursing facilities.
Restraints Are Perfectly Legal in Some Circumstances
The usage of chemical or physical restraints is allowed in skilled care facilities only if the use is an essential part of a patient’s medical care. Patients cannot be restrained simply because it makes a staff member’s job easier, or as a punishment. However, if restraint usage is necessary to ensure that a person gets the care they need, or to protect the patient him/herself or other residents, it is legal and permissible.
Patients Can Decline the Use of Restraints
The simple concept of being chemically or physically restrained is extremely uncomfortable for most people, and nursing home residents are no exception. Residents have the legal right to decline the use of restraints, and the right must be acknowledged unless the resident meets one of the conditions listed in the paragraph above. If a person or their family member feels that their rights are being violated, they can call a nursing home abuse attorney in St. Charles, MO.
Ethical and Clinical Guidelines on Administering Restraints
Those tasked with the administration of chemical and physical restraints are required to utilize them with ethical consideration and clinical knowledge. Medical staff should be extensively trained in the application and usage of restraints in a way that doesn’t harm the patient or adversely affect their dignity. A nursing home abuse attorney in St. Charles, MO is here to help if a person or family member feels that there’s been a systematic abuse of the restraint system.
Browse our website or call the office today to set up a consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer. When a family or patient hires an attorney, they can allow the lawyer to be their legal advocate as they challenge the non-reasonable use of restraints.
