(4)
Patients with a history of falls.
(5)
Patients with a history of substance abuse.
(6)
Patients receiving medication that interferes with reasoning or motor
functions.
b. Protect the patients at risk for injury.
c. To prevent falls:
(1)
Place the bed in the low position.
(2)
Keep the side rails up when the patient is not receiving bedside care.
(3)
Advise the patient to wear low-heeled shoes that fit well when walking.
(4) Ensure that nonskid strips or mats are affixed to the bottom of bathtubs
and shower floors.
(5) Ensure that bathtubs have sturdy handrails and shower stools are in
place when needed.
(6) Warn patients and visitors when floors are wet and slippery. Also see
that signs are posted.
d. Protective restraints (see figures 6-1 through 6-3).
(1) Use restraints when careful assessment indicates that these are
needed. (Some facilities require a doctor's order for restraints).
(2) Movement is essential to the patient's well being. Use the least
restrictive type of restraint, which will protect the patient.
(3) Apply the restraint for the shortest amount of time necessary. The vest
restraint (figure 6-2) may only be necessary while a patient is sitting in a wheelchair.
(4) Provide for as much movement as possible. The waist restraint (figure
6-3) protects the patient from falling out of bed but still allows the patient to change
position independently.
(5) Restrain the fewest limbs or body parts possible. However, if leg
restraints are necessary, use wrist restraints also. If this is not done, the patient may
remove the leg restraints or he may accidentally hang by his heels in the restraints.
MD0905
6-4