Up to one-third of patients with severe dementia receive their daily meals via a tube. However, new research suggests that tube-feeding and the patient restraint that is necessary for its use might actually cause more harm than good. Dementia patients who receive tube-feeding are more likely to be placed in patient restraints in order to prevent them from accidentally or intentionally dislodging their feeding tubes. However, while in restraints, patients can easily be injured, according to a recent article released by Reuters.
The study was performed at the Royal Free & University College Medical School in London, England and followed over 1,800 dementia patients, 409 of whom were tube-fed. The patients placed on feeding tubes had received them for conditions like losing weight, refusing to eat, not eating enough, or had difficulty swallowing. The research team discovered that the patients with feeding tubes were more likely to be placed in patient restraints and often developed bedsores as well as other sores, bruises and scrapes from the restraints themselves. Since patients with dementia often cannot communicate that their restraints are hurting them or are not necessary, these patients are far more likely than the general population to be restrained improperly or to be left in restraints for more time than is safe, resulting in restraint injury.
When used with care, precision, and constant supervision, patient restraints can help prevent a patient from making an injury or illness worse. However, many health care providers use patient restraints for longer than necessary. They may also use the wrong kind of restraint or fail to watch and listen to the patient, causing them to miss dangers that can lead to serious injury or death.
If you or a loved one has been injured by restraints, please don’t hesitate to talk to Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer.” Mr. Heisler has years of experience fighting on behalf of persons injured by restraints. To learn more about how a Maryland restraint injury attorney may be able to help you, call 877-228-4878 today for a free and confidential case evaluation.
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