Promoting Safety: Alternative Approaches to the Use of Restraints

Published: February 2012
Available in English, Spanish
Clinical,  Older adults

Purpose and scope

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations for registered nurses and registered practical nurses related to the care of individuals who are at risk for behaviours that may result in harm to self/others and lead to the possible use of restraints…

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations for registered nurses and registered practical nurses related to the care of individuals who are at risk for behaviours that may result in harm to self/others and lead to the possible use of restraints (physical, chemical, environmental). Unless otherwise indicated in the guideline, the discussion focus is on physical restraint. 
This guideline focuses on three areas: 

  1. assessment, prevention and alternative approaches
  2. de-escalation interventions and crisis management 
  3. restraint use focused on client safety

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Reference

Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. (2012). Promoting Safety: Alternative Approaches to the Use of Restraints. Toronto, ON: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.

Recommendations

Do you want to learn about and implement the most- up-to-date evidence-based recommendations on this topic with your colleagues? Download and share the full best practice guideline (BPG), Promoting Safety: Alternative Approaches to the Use of Restraints.
See below for a snapshot of the recommendations from this BPG. We strongly suggest you review the full BPG before implementing the recommendations and good practice statements. The BPG also includes further resources to support implementation and evaluation.  

Disclaimer: These guidelines are not binding for nurses, other health providers or the organizations that employ them. The use of these guidelines should be flexible and based on individual needs and local circumstances. They constitute neither a liability nor discharge from liability. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents at the time of publication, neither the authors nor the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) gives any guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained in them or accepts any liability with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omission in the contents of this work.

Methodology documents

Revision status

Current edition published: February 2012

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