Physical and Chemical Restraints
Your Family Member Deserved Better Treatment
The Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) of 1987 was created to protect the quality of life for nursing home residents and improve the quality of nursing home care. Included in the NHRA bill of patients’ rights is the right to freedom from physical restraints.
If a loved one has been subjected to unnecessary use of physical or chemical restraints at a nursing home, contact RGLZ Personal Injury Law today. Our experienced nursing home injury lawyers have an extensive track record of winning justice and compensation in nursing home cases.
Use of Restraints Is Often Illegal
Improper use of restraints can cause physical and emotional injuries such as bedsores, muscle and bone weakness, cardiovascular problems, depression and withdrawal. Chemical restraints may cause over-sedation, fatigue, confusion, dehydration, lack of appetite, or complications with the patient’s other medications.
Federal regulations prohibit nursing home staff from restraining a patient as a means of punishment or for the staff’s convenience. Health care professionals are not allowed to restrain patients unless it is medically necessary or required to avoid self-injury. Restraints are only permitted under a doctor’s orders and with the approval of the resident or resident’s personal representative. Chemical restraints are legal only when used as a part of medical treatment.
Physical restraints include items such as bedrails, restrictive chairs, hand mitts, vests tying residents to chairs or beds, and wrist or ankle restraints. Chemical restraints are typically psychoactive drugs such as sedatives, anti-anxiety medicines, antipsychotics and antidepressants.
Electronic monitoring devices such as bed or chair alarms are safe, humane ways to alert staff to resident movement. Ideally, adequate staffing and proper supervision of residents would eliminate the need for restraints in many cases.
Contact a Long Island Chemical Restraint Injury Attorney
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Suffolk County nursing home physical abuse victim lawyers, please call 866-639-5567 or contact us online. We’ll help you get the answers you need.