Safe Use of Equipment & Restraint Alternatives

Restraints are a last resort, used only after less restrictive alternatives (bed/chair alarms, sitters, reorientation, moving the patient closer to the nursing station) have failed, and only to protect the patient or others from harm — never for staff convenience. A provider's order is required, must be time-limited, and must be renewed periodically per facility policy; the nurse must document the specific behavior that necessitated the restraint, the alternatives attempted, and perform regular circulation, skin, and neurovascular checks (commonly every 1–2 hours, per facility policy).