NOTE:
After an encounter with a violent patient (armed or unarmed), meet with the
staff and tell them what was done and why. Give the staff the opportunity to
express their feelings.
3-5.
USE OF RESTRAINTS
a. When to Use Restraints. Restraints are used in the following situations:
(1)
The patient is violent.
(2)
The patient refuses to go to a medical or psychiatric facility for
evaluation.
(3)
The patient is hallucinating or has delusions.
(4)
The patient is evacuated by air.
(5) The patient is having a substance abuse reaction such as severe alcohol
withdrawal or barbiturate withdrawal.
b. How to Use Restraints. There are standard restraining devices and field
expedient restraints. Standard restraining devices can be found in a hospital or clinic.
Field expedient restraints include material commonly carried by a soldier in the field
such as rifle slings, web belts, bandoleers, and cravats. If used, field restraining
devices should be replaced with standard restraining devices as soon as possible.
Field restraining devices should not be used on a patient over long periods of time
because such devices may rub on the patient's skin causing him injury.
c. Field Restraining Device--the Double Litter. Follow these steps to use the
double litter with litter straps as restraints:
(1) Place the patient on the litter in the prone position with his head turned
to one side to help prevent aspiration pneumonia.
(2)
Put each of the patient's hands along his thigh and secure each hand to
the litter.
(3)
Place the other litter, the carrying side down, on top of the patient.
(4)
Bind the litters together with two or more litter straps.
(5) Record and report the action taken on DA form SF 600. Include the date
and time the restraints were applied, the type of restraints applied, and the patient's
tolerance of the procedure.
MD0586
3-4