Angels Service 

 

Policy:

A physical restraint is the use of manual methods intended to restrict the movement or normal functioning of a portion of an individual’s body through direct contact by staff.

A physical or mechanical restraint will only be used by employees or contractors of Angel’s Service LLC when alternatives have failed, and when necessary to protect the individual from injury to self or others and may not be employed as punishment for the convenience of staff or as a substitute for a program of services and supports.

Mechanical restraints shall be designed and used so as not to cause physical injury and the least possible discomfort.

Procedure:

1. An individual will be released from physical or mechanical restraint as soon as the emergency condition no longer exists.
2. Physical or mechanical restraint cannot be a part of the person Individual Service and Support Plan (ISSP) and only used as an emergency or safety control procedure in accordance with the Division for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities rules and regulations.
3. No physical or mechanical restraint of a person shall place excess pressure on the chest or back of the person or inhibit or impede the person’s ability to breathe.
4. Circulation and breathing will be monitored constantly throughout the individual’s restraint.
5. Relief periods of at a minimum, ten (10) minutes every one (1) hour shall be provided to an individual in mechanical restraint, except when the individual is sleeping. Record of relief periods shall be maintained.
6. If a doctor’s order has been received for a mechanical restraint then an individual as ordered by the doctor when safety is a concern will be placed in a mechanical restraint. The individual in the mechanical restraint shall be monitored constantly by staff or contractors to ensure the individual’s physical needs are met and the individual’s circulation is not restricted or airway obstructed. A record of such monitoring shall be maintained.
7. Should an individual exceed 15minutes for a physical restraint:
   1. Will only be used when ABSOLUTLY necessary for the persons safety.
   2. All restraints preformed will be documented in the client’s file
   3. Angel’s Service LLC or contractors will request assistance as needed or call 911 if needed.
   4. Staff will notify the all appropriate involved parties, i.e. owner, family, center board, etc. as soon as the condition no longer exists.

If physical restraint is used in an emergency or on a continuing basis, its use shall be reviewed by the interdisciplinary team and the Human Rights Committee.

Mechanical restraints used for medical purposes following a medical procedure or injury shall be authorized by a physician’s order and renewed every twenty-four (24) hours.

Angel’s Service LLC does not participate in mechanical or physical restraints used for a diagnostic or other medical procedure conducted under the control of the agency that is dually authorized by a licensed professional.

If an individual has a history of needing restraints a care giver who is responsible for this intervention needs to be close at hand during sessions if intervention is needed. Angel’s Service LLC or contractors is not responsible for providing this service unless individual contractor offers this specific service.

• Mechanical restraint is subject to special review and oversight and shall only be applied in an emergency if alternative techniques have failed
• Definitions of physical restraint and mechanical restraint
  • A physical restraint is anything near or on the body which restricts movement. Some examples of. physical restraints are: • Lap buddies, belts, "geri" chairs, vests, or trays, which keep the body immobile in a wheelchair, • Bed rails or belts, which keep people confined to their beds.
  • Mechanical restraint. Any restrictive device (e.g., seatbelt, straitjacket (camisole), vest, or physical confinement) used to restrict a person's free movement, most commonly in emergency situations.
• Situations that may warrant the use of a physical restraint or mechanical restraint
  • When necessary to protect the individual from injury to self or others
  • Shall only be applied in an emergency if alternative techniques have failed

Revision History:

Published 12/29/2016 by Serena Akinahew