Page 59 - 2020 ARE eGuide for Clinical at Nonhospital Sites
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Free from Restraints (Patient Right)
Restraint is any manual method, physical or mechanical device, material, or equipment that immobilizes
or reduces the ability of a patient to move his/her arms, legs, body, or head freely; or a drug or
medication when it is used as a restriction to manage the patient's behavior or restrict the patient's
freedom of movement and is not a standard treatment or dosage for the patient's condition.
Our Baptist Health philosophy is to strive for a restraint free environment by continuously
improving our practice to protect patients and respect their rights, privacy, and dignity.
The patient has the right to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary, or
are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.
Patient deaths where restraints had been in use, regardless of cause of death must be reported to
the nursing house supervisor immediately. Nursing house supervisor will notify CMS as required by law.
