Course ID: FQUEWU511
Course Name: Best Practices in Restraint Appropriate Care
Credits: 2

This two contact hour home study continuing education program focuses on maintaining patient safety in acute and long-term care settings within the framework of restraint appropriate care. The history of restraint use in the United States and other countries will be discussed to provide a background for the practice of using physical restraints in health care settings. Myths about the use of restraints will be presented and contrasted with current research-based clinical evidence about the consequences of restraint use. An overview of Federal legislation and Joint Commission standards related to the appropriate use of restraints in acute and long term care will be presented. Commonly occurring situations related to patient safety will be discussed with an emphasis on assessment, recognition and intervention for physical and psychosocial concerns affecting safety. Nursing responses to maintain patient safety and alternatives to restraints will be discussed. Successful programs to decrease restraint use and suggestions for strategies toward implementation of restraint appropriate care utilizing current research findings, nationally recognized protocols, practice guidelines, and best practice in restraint appropriate care are included.

About the Author:
Theris T. Touhy ND, APRN, BC
Associate Professor & Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs
Florida Atlantic University
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Dr. Touhy is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the Christine E Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University . She is an APRN and a CNS in gerontological nursing and teaches courses in gerontological nursing and long term care in both the undergraduate and graduate programs in the College. Dr. Touhy has been a clinical nurse specialist in long term care at 2 different facilities in South Florida and is currently working with the therapeutic programs for people with mild to moderate memory impairment in the Memory and Wellness Center in the College of Nursing at FAU. Her research centers on improvement of care for persons with dementia, caring in nursing homes, and spirituality. Dr. Touhy has twice received the Distinguished Teaching Award in the College of Nursing and received the first Geriatric Faculty Award from the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing in October 2003. She has numerous publications and has presented her research at national and international conferences.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this home study continuing education program, the learner will be able to:

• Increase awareness of the subjective experience of being restrained.
• Review the history of physical restraint use in health care.
• Explore three myths and realities about restraints.
• Review two adverse patient effects related to the use of physical restraint.
• Identify nursing concerns related to restraint use, patient safety, and legal and ethical responsibilities of restraint use.
• Discuss current legal restrictions and mandates governing the use of physical restraints.
• Discuss commonly occurring nursing situations related to patient safety and appropriate assessment and response to maintain safety in a restraint appropriate environment.
• Explore alternatives to restraint use.
• Discuss two strategies for implementation of programs to reduce the use of restraints in health care settings.