Physical Restraints

A physical restraint is any device, material, or equipment that prevents a person from moving freely. A nursing home resident who is restrained daily can become weak and develop other medical complications. Research indicates has found that residents who are not restrained tend to be less agitated, less fatigued, and more social. They exhibit greater independence with toileting, mobility, feeding, dressing, and strength. The resident's autonomy and dignity improve without the confinement of physical restraints. As a result, one key project within CCME's Medicare-sponsored Patient Safety Program focuses on lowering the usage of physical restraints in nursing homes.

CCME’s collaborative program works with participating nursing homes to implement care processes to reduce the use of physical restraints and to address areas of patient harm, for which there is evidence that improving health care processes and systems improves safety. This project focuses on process issues to help providers break down the barriers to safe, efficient care without using restraints. CCME also offers technical and educational assistance on quality improvement techniques.

Please visit the Patient Safety Resources section for more information on physical restraints.