The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has long warned hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care providers to use patient restraints with great caution. The FDA is concerned about the high rate of injuries to patients put in restraints, which includes safety vests, wheelchair belts, and similar devices.
The FDA estimates that about 100 patients die or are injured per year in the U.S. while trying to get out of patient restraints. Often, the patient is attempting to do something as simple as getting up to use the bathroom when they become entangled or injured by the restraints. Often, patients are injured when restraints are put on incorrectly; the restraint is the wrong type of restraint for the patient’s needs; or when the patient is not monitored after the restraints are in use.
To avoid patient restraint injury and death, the FDA recommends that all health care facilities use restraint alternatives whenever possible and communicate to the patient and their family what restraints are used and why. The restrained patient should always be under the direct care of a physician and should be restrained for the shortest time possible. All staff should know how to use restraints properly and should have regular training in how to use them.
Improper use of patient restraints can result in tragedy. If you or a loved one has been injured or has died from a restraint injury, please contact an experienced Maryland patient restraint injury attorney. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” has years of experience protecting the rights of injured Maryland patients. Call 877-228-4878 today for a free and confidential consultation.
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