Restraints

Restraints are protective devices we use to limit movement of certain parts of a patient’s body. The restraints we use at Gillette include:

• Elbow splints
• Soft limb restraints
• Enclosure beds

We use restraints for safety, protection, or maintenance of medical interventions. Restraints help prevent patients from removing medical tubes, such as intravenous tubes, feeding tubes or urinary catheters. We also might use restraints to prevent patients from removing essential monitoring equipment, falling out of bed, or irritating stitches or incisions.

We decide to use a restraint after we’ve tried all less-invasive alternatives. A doctor or nurse practitioner must order the restraint. When we use restraints, we keep in mind our patients’ dignity and safety.

Gillette patient-care staff remove restraints regularly to check the condition of a patient’s skin or to provide treatment. Please talk with hospital staff before you remove or loosen a restraint. We remove restraints as soon as they are no longer needed.

• Reassure patients that the restraint is temporary and that it’s there to keep them safe.
• Let nurses know before you leave the patient’s room.
• Share any questions or concerns about the restraints with Gillette staff.

Please talk to your Gillette nurse.