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ENABLERS (RESTRAINT MINIMISATION & SAFE
Protocol
PRACTICE)
CPM.E1.1
CLINICAL PRACTICE
MANUAL
STANDARDS
This protocol specifies the conditions / situations in which enablers (equipment, devices or
furniture, voluntarily used by a patient following appropriate assessment that limits normal
freedom of movement, with the intent of promoting independence, comfort and / or safety
RMSP NZS 8134.0:2008) are used and ensures compliance with the Bay of Plenty District
Health Board (BOPDHB) policy 1.2.4 Restraint Minimisation and Safe Practice.
Enablers may be used
when required to facilitate treatment delivery / investigations where
movement may increase the risk of injury to the patient or impede the recording of
investigations necessary to improve health state. Verbal agreement by the patient or
representative is required and any risks explained. Use of enabler should be documented
within the patient’s care plan and observations carried out as described for each enabler. If
required a Falls Risk Care Plan should be completed.
Examples:
1. A patient voluntarily uses bed rails to assist their mobility in bed, to aid in the positioning
of pillows for comfort or to prevent them falling from bed (
RMSP NZS 8134.0:2008)
2. A patient voluntarily uses a fixed tray in front of their chair to assist them to have a meal
independently (
RMSP NZS 8134.0:2008)
3. Equipment, devices or furniture is used, following appropriate assessment, to assist in
the physical positioning of a patient without limiting their normal freedom of movement.
These interventions are not considered a form of restraint, but rather a normal
component of the patient’s day to day life (
RMSP NZS 8134.0:2008)
APPROVED ENABLERS IN BOPDHB – refer to Appendix 1
Splints (Adult / Paediatric)
Mittens / Boxing Glove bandaging
Limb Enabler
Specialist Chairs
Bedrails / Cot Sides (Paediatrics)
Personal Safe Hold (Adult)
Personal Safe Hold (Child)
Paediatric Pigg-0-stat Device
Lap Belts
STANDARDS TO BE MET
1. The techniques used are to be carried out in a safe and controlled manner, with
emphasis on maintaining patient safety and not causing any additional harm. An
explanation of the personal hold will be given to the patient at the outset where possible.
2. Assessment should be completed in partnership with patient, family / whānau, and
significant others. This shall ensure cultural considerations, respect for dignity, patients
privacy and choices are met. This shall also assist to identify triggers and alternative
options.
3. Obtain related assessments from the multidisciplinary team into factors such as pain,
which may be exacerbating the patient’s agitation or restlessness.
4. Ensure there is a documented comprehensive Care Plan that includes rationale and
monitoring to prevent injury or discomfort.
5. Check and monitor patient for any negative effects such as increased incontinence,
pressure areas, muscle atrophy, decreased muscle tone and strength, contractures, loss
of ability to walk and loss of autonomy.
6. Psychological, cultural and spiritual factors also need to be considered.
7. Any signs of agitation, stress or discomfort must be reported to the nurse in charge
immediately.
Issue Date:
May 2017
Page 1 of 5
NOTE: The electronic version of
Review Date: May 2020
Version No: 10
this document is the most current.
Any printed copy cannot be
Document Steward: Restraint
Authorised by: Director of Nursing
assumed to be the current version.
Co-ordinator
ENABLERS (RESTRAINT MINIMISATION & SAFE
Protocol
PRACTICE)
CPM.E1.1
CLINICAL PRACTICE
MANUAL
8. Wherever possible continue to work in partnership with patient, family / whānau, and
significant others.
9
If unsure whether Personal hold is an enabler or restraint always complete an Incident
Management Form.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
Bay of Plenty District Health Board Restraint Minimisation & Safe Practice controlled
documents
Bay of Plenty District Health Board Clinical Practice Manual protocol CPM.D1.1 Delirium,
Dementia and Depression in Older Adults – Care Guidelines
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 0.0 Glossary of Terms / Definitions
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 1.1.1 Informed Consent
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 2.1.1 Risk Management
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 2.1.2 protocol 2 Controlled Document
Development Standards
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 2.1.2 protocol 6 Controlled Document Review
Standards
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 2.1.3 Hazard Management
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 2.1.4 Incident Management
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 5.4.7 Threatening Behaviour, Bullying,
Harassment and Violence in the Workplace - Management
Bay of Plenty District Health Board policy 7.104.1 protocol 3 Care Delivery – Observing
Patients
Bay of Plenty District Health Board Practice of Restraint Advisory Group (PRAG) Terms
of Reference
Bay of Plenty District Health Board Incident Management Form
Issue Date:
May 2017
Page 2 of 5
NOTE: The electronic version of
Review Date: May 2020
Version No: 10
this document is the most current.
Any printed copy cannot be
Document Steward: Restraint
Authorised by: Director of Nursing
assumed to be the current version.
Co-ordinator
ENABLERS (RESTRAINT MINIMISATION & SAFE
Protocol
PRACTICE)
CPM.E1.1
CLINICAL PRACTICE
MANUAL
Appendix 1
Enabler Classification Tool
Type
Usage
Application
Observation and monitoring
Documentation
Bedrails / padded
To prevent patient accidentally falling
Transporting of patients.
Minimum ½ hourly visual checks.
Falls Risk
rails.
from bed.
Anaesthetised or sedated
Minimum 2 hourly check for food, fluids, toileting,
Care Plan
Cot sides
Normal practice in Emergency
patients
and pressure areas.
Generic Care
in paediatrics
Department, Paediatrics, ICU and
Supporting pillows.
Bed placed at its lowest position following any
Plan
Perioperative Care.
Distorted body image
cares or interventions.
Patient’s
NB. Not to be used solely as the
Check appropriateness if patient confused and
health record
means to prevent patient climbing
at risk of climbing out of bed.
out of bed.
Assess if delirium present and if so refer to Delirium CPM.D1.1
protocol
Lap belts
For patients with poor trunk control to
As part of a falls prevention
Ensure no excess pressure on patient.
Falls Risk
prevent accidental falling / slipping out
programme
Minimum ½ hourly visual checks.
Care Plan
of chair or wheelchair.
By prescription of
Observe for physical discomfort and offer
Generic Care
Patients who need to be correctly
Occupational Therapist only
assistance with personal requirements.
Plan
positioned in wheelchairs
Minimum 2 hourly checks for toileting, offering food, Patient’s
fluids and pressure areas.
health record
Limb enablers:
To prevent paediatric or confused
Apply firmly without
Minimum 1 hourly check for skin integrity.
Generic Care
Dressing-soft
patients from:
interfering with circulation.
Remove when patient co-operative.
Plan
gamgee
- Pulling at medical devices (IV, NG
Ensure 2 fingers can be
Patient’s
padding and
etc.)
inserted.
health record
soft bandaging
- Pulling off dressings
Allow as much limb
Soft Velcro
- Grabbing,
movement as possible.
padded limb
- hitting or scratching
enabler
Issue Date:
May 2017
Page 3 of 5
NOTE: The electronic version of
Review Date: May 2020
Version No: 10
this document is the most current.
Any printed copy cannot be
Document Steward: Restraint
Authorised by: Director of Nursing
assumed to be the current version.
Co-ordinator
ENABLERS (RESTRAINT MINIMISATION & SAFE
Protocol
PRACTICE)
CPM.E1.1
CLINICAL PRACTICE
MANUAL
Type
Usage
Application
Observation and monitoring
Documentation
Mittens / boxing
To prevent paediatric or confused
Hands to be padded with
Bandage should be removed at least 2 hourly
Generic Care
glove bandaging:
patients from:
bulky gauze in “resting”
during the day or when awake for inspection of
Plan
Tubigrip
- Pulling at medical devices (IV, NG
position then firmly but not
warmth, colour, movement and sensation of hands
Patient’s
Gauze or
etc.)
tightly bandaged to form a
and to provide hygiene requirements. Finger
health record
cotton wool
- Pulling off dressings
‘boxing glove’. Tape in place
movement should be encouraged at this time.
padding
- Grabbing, hitting or
carefully to ensure it is not
While patient is asleep boxing glove bandaging can
Bandages
- Scratching
too tight.
remain in place.
Tape
Remove during meal times if appropriate and while
under constant supervision (family or staff)
Report any pain, swelling or impaired circulation to
medical staff and complete an Incident
Management form.
Paediatric
To prevent injury to child during
To keep patient still during
Ensure no excess pressure on patient
Care Plan
Personal Safe
procedures / diagnostic interventions
procedure.
Ongoing communication
Patient’s
Hold for treatment
and or examinations.
Technical positioning using
Monitor for bruising
health record
delivery
Technical holding for lumbar
appropriate technique.
punctures or cervical spine
Staff or parents (if
stabilisation.
appropriate) can hold child.
Insertion of NG tubes, cannulae,
Blanket may be used if
sutures or venepuncture
appropriate to wrap child.
Administration of medications
Paediatric
To allow chest x-ray of 0 - 2 year olds.
Radiology only.
Ensure careful explanation and support given to
Pigg-o-stat Device
parents along with information leaflet.
Issue Date:
May 2017
Page 4 of 5
NOTE: The electronic version of
Review Date: May 2020
Version No: 10
this document is the most current.
Any printed copy cannot be
Document Steward: Restraint
Authorised by: Director of Nursing
assumed to be the current version.
Co-ordinator
ENABLERS (RESTRAINT MINIMISATION & SAFE
Protocol
PRACTICE)
CPM.E1.1
CLINICAL PRACTICE
MANUAL
Type
Usage
Application
Observation and monitoring
Documentation
Personal Safe
To prevent injury to patient during
To keep patient still during
Ensure no excess pressure on patient
Patient’s
Hold Treatment
procedures / diagnostic interventions
procedure
Ongoing communication
health record
delivery for Adults
and or examinations.
Technical positioning using
Monitor for bruising
Technical holding for lumbar
appropriate technique
punctures or cervical spine
stabilisation.
Insertion of NG tubes, cannulae,
sutures, venepuncture
Administration of medications.
Specialist Chairs
Used for patients with reduced
As part of falls prevention
Ensure no excess pressure on patient
Falls Risk
Examples:
postural stability
To prevent patient slipping
Minimum ½ hourly visual checks
Care Plan
Wheel chairs
down / out of chair
Observe for physical discomfort and offer
Generic Care
Lazy-boys
assistance with personal requirements
Plan
Chairs with a
Minimum 2 hourly checks for toileting, offering food
Patient’s
fixed table or
and fluids, mobilising / physiotherapy
health record
pushed under a
Remove patient from specialist chair every 2 hours
table for meals
Offer alternative activities while patient in chair
or activities
Splints (Adult or
Care Plan
Paediatric)
For prevention of interfering with lines
Select appropriate
Splints and limbs to be checked on a regular basis, Patient’s health
Velcro fastening
/ wounds
equipment.
according to the individual care plan and / or health
record
band
To prevent limb shortening
Application under the
record.
Tubigrip or
To be used in conjunction with existing
direction of a registered
All checks should be performed 2 hourly minimum.
similar
treatment policies to facilitate the safe
health professional
Wherever possible continue to work in partnership
Padded wooden
delivery of clinical intervention and to
with patient, family / whānau, significant others.
splints / plastic
prevent injury during treatment.
splints
Crepe / Elastic
Bandage
Issue Date:
May 2017
Page 5 of 5
NOTE: The electronic version of
Review Date: May 2020
Version No: 10
this document is the most current.
Any printed copy cannot be
Document Steward: Restraint
Authorised by: Director of Nursing
assumed to be the current version.
Co-ordinator