Restraints Evans Memorial Hospital strives for a restraint free environment that promotes and enhances the individual’s rights and dignity. Family or significant others provide valuable information regarding comfort and security measures for the guest. The best way to keep a guest out of a restraining device is to surround them with people they know and love. We encourage families to visit us as often as they can, and provide diversional activities that have been known to calm the patient. Comfort measures are routine aspects of nursing care. These are situations in which restraints may be used: • Prevention of harm to self and others • Safe completion of therapies and treatments • Promotion of personal safety of the patient due to severe confusion. The staff at Evans Memorial Hospital attempt to utilize the least restrictive measures possible to maintain safety. In the event that a restraining device is considered necessary, a family member or significant person will be informed. The nurse may request that a family member or significant other assist in the de-escalation of anxiety and confusion by being present at the bedside. If the anxiety or confusion continues to present a safety concern, it may become necessary to implement a restraining device. Each guest’s situation is viewed individually and restraining devices are removed as soon as safety risks are lessened. Guests are monitored and assessed frequently. Comfort measures are provided with position changes, fluids, toileting, food, and circulatory checks on a scheduled basis. If you have questions or concerns, please discuss them with a nurse. Fall Prevention The nursing staff has the following suggestions to help you avoid a fall during your hospitalization: • If the nurse has instructed you to call for assistance before getting out of bed, please do so. • Put on slippers with nonskid soles while walking. • Ask for help if you feel weak, dizzy, or light-headed when you need to get up. • Use the call switch (pull string) in the bathroom if you become weak or need assistance back to the bed. • Notify the nursing staff if a spill occurs on the floor. • Ask to have objects such as bedside tables, phone, and call lights within your easy reach if you are not able to reach them. • Never hesitate to use the nurse call system for assistance. • If the side rails on your bed are in the “up” position, they are there for your protection and to assist you in turning. • Please do not try to get out of a wheelchair by yourself. Patient Safety EMH is committed to creating a culture of safety that encourages the prevention and reporting of errors to improve care. Hospital leaders are actively involved in activities to improve quality of care and communicate with patients and families when problems occur. The more healthcare information you have, the better you are at preventing errors and taking care of yourself. You need to ask your pharmacists, doctors, and nurses about your illnesses. Find out all that you can about your illness and the medications you are taking. What you learn will help protect you later. Your doctors, nurses, and pharmacists work hard to keep you healthy, but you are also responsible. Error Prevention Some of the innovative methods that hospitals are implementing include: • Computer technology and preprinted forms are being used to make sure that physician’s orders are not mistaken or misinterpreted. Abbreviations that have been identified as confusing and problem prone are not used. 18 For your Safety
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