JCAHO Essential Education Information on the use of Physical Restraints

Main Menu

Restraints are defined as “a physical or mechanical device used to involuntarily limit a patient’s ability to move all or part of their body to protect them or others from injury.”

 Restraints should only be used when less restrictive measures to prevent injury have been unsuccessful.  Before applying restraints, alternative solutions to change patient behavior or provide closer monitoring should be explored. 

Patients require restraints for one of 2 reasons. Select either reason to review the procedures for issuing the restraint order,  for the regimen of patient care to be followed and documentation required for the order.