The Use Of Restraint As An Ethical Delimma

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The Use of Restraint as an Ethical Dilemma What are Restraints? A restraint is any device, object, action or deed, which an individual cannot easily remove or which resists the free flow of movement of an individual, or the normal access to an individual’s own body (Australian Government, 2004). A restraint can also be an intervention that is used to control an individual’s behaviour, or decision making abilities (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging, 2001). The key factor that differentiates restraint from other forms of care or medical treatment, is the intent of using a restraint to restrict the movement, behaviour, and decision making abilities from an individual (Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine, 2005). Examples of Restraints. Physical Restraint. Include but are not limited to- table-tops, posey belts, lap sashes, bed rails, and chairs that are difficult for the individual to get out of, these being, tub chairs, recliners, regency chairs (Harcourt, Victor, 2001). Chemical Restraint. The intentional use of a medication that will effect or control an individual’s behaviour, when there is no medically identified diagnosis or treatment, or where the treatment is not warranted for the condition or when being over treated for the condition. Chemical restraints are the use of pharmacological agents to restrict the movement, behaviour and decision making abilities of an individual. Examples of chemical restraints are sedation, antipsychotic, antidepressant, hypnotic, anxiolytics, and antimanic drugs (Australian Medical Association, 2001; Irish Nurses Organisation, 2003). Aversive Restraint. Is the treatment practices or punishment of an individual, the practice of using unpleasant stimuli, this being physical, sensory or verbal? The use of the tone of voice, command, or threats, to limit or control an individual’s movements or
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