The Value of Restraint Training for Healthcare Workers

Are you aware of the value of patient and staff safety in healthcare? It’s essential. Behaviour management, especially in psychiatric wards or nursing homes, requires restraint training for healthcare workers. Restraint training prepares healthcare workers with the necessary skills and mindset to protect the well-being of patients and other staff.

What is Physical Restraint Training

Restraint training is a technique taught to healthcare staff to manage any individual behaving aggressively. Physical restraint methods limit an individual’s ability to cause harm to other patients or staff, making a safer environment.

Typically, the training covers recognition of behaviour. By understanding early signs of aggressive behaviour, staff can physically restrain individuals before situations get out of hand. Several types of physical restraint methods are taught.

Focusing on early signs allows staff to predict harmful behaviour and de-escalate the situation while following the code of conduct. Physical restraint training creates a safe environment for everybody.

Types of Physical Restraint Holds

Healthcare workers must be aware of all variants of physical restraint held to handle individuals or unique situations. In turn, this prepares healthcare workers for any situation. These are variants of physical restraint holds:

• Seated Restraint: Gentle holds are required to secure a patient while they’re seated to prevent any miraculous movements.
• Supine Restraint: Holds required to secure a patient lying down. This limits movements for patients prone to self-harm.
• Prone Restraint: The patient is restrained face-down, but requires careful execution to avoid causing breathing difficulties.
• Two-Person Hold: Two staff members restrain a patient to reduce movement and potential injuries.
• Crisis Prevention Holds: Controls the movement of a patient without harm. Mainly used to calm a situation rather than restrain.

Why is Restraint Training for Healthcare Workers Valuable?

Restraint training provides healthcare workers with the knowledge and physical skillset to handle potentially harmful situations without panicking. This way, patient and staff injuries are less likely to occur. The Shared Learning: The Value of NHS Physical Restraint Training suggest that it helps sidestep risks and injury.

What is Effective Restraint Training?

What exactly is the key to successful restraint training for healthcare workers? Here are several factors:

1. Theory: It’s important to first understand the legal and ethical rules. Healthcare workers must be familiar with the ethical practices of how and when physical restraint is necessary.
2. Practical Skills: Training that includes a variety of physical restraint techniques is successful. Learning various methods prepares you for multiple situations, as every situation where physical restraint is required is unique.
3. De-Escalation Techniques: De-escalating potentially harmful situations before they occur is an excellent technique for navigating testing situations. Calming strategies reduce the need for restraint in the first place.
4. Repeated Education: Regular classes, education, and reminders mean staff are up-to-date with the best practices and polish techniques. Ongoing training is vital. Many health board inspections are dissatisfied with current restraint training regimes.

How to Train Staff

Facilities must employ a regular training system to ingrain the best practices in workers.

• Accurate Record Keeping: Institutions must keep accurate records of training updates. Accessible and well-maintained files will allow managers to track training records.
• Mandatory Training: Restraint training must be mandatory for all healthcare staff, as it’s imperative for staff and patient safety.
• Regular Reviews: All restraint training must be up-to-date with current best practices and legalities. Any outdated training methods can lead to poor quality teaching and, therefore, a potential increase in harm.
• Incident Reports: Clear, careful, and effective incident reports must be kept to help staff document behaviour and behaviour management. This way, room for improvement is easily identified.

What are the Legal and Ethical Guidelines for Restraint?

Healthcare providers must follow the legal and ethical guidelines for restraint. The Mental Health Act stresses that physical restraint is a last resort method for handling aggressive or confrontational behaviour.

Understanding these guidelines is crucial for healthcare workers, as incorrect use could lead to potential lawsuits or ethical issues. Safeguarding patients and staff must always be a priority when using physical restraint.

Prioritising up-to-date physical restraint training for healthcare workers allows staff to carefully navigate potential risks or harmful situations while following ethical guidelines.

Cucumber Recruitment are a nursing agency that provides staff with the current physical restraint best practices to give them the necessary skill set to de-escalate harmful situations and aggressive behaviour.

For insight into our training programs, visit our staffing page for any assistance in discovering healthcare staff qualified in physical restraint techniques. Let’s build and maintain a safe environment in healthcare together. Reach out to our team for more information.