Reducing the use of physical restraints in nursing homes

Abstract

You've got a busy day ahead of you, including clinic appointments and hospital rounds, and you'd like to get to your daughter's soccer game by 6 pm. Among the myriad phone calls you need to return is one from a nursing home, asking you to authorize a wheelchair restraint for one of your patients who has fallen twice while attempting to stand without assistance. It makes sense: The patient is confused and doesn't recognize his inability to walk independently. Why not order a physical restraint?