Medical restraint
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Medical restraints are a subset of general physical restraint used for medical purposes. Unlike some other forms of restraint, medical restraints are designed to restrain their wearer without causing pain.
Medical restraints are generally used to prevent people with severe physical or mental disorders from harming themselves or others.
Forms of medical restraint include four-point restraints, fabric body holders and straitjackets, as well as less-confining devices such as safety vests, jackets, lap and wheel chair belts.
Although medical restraints, used properly, can help prevent injury, they can also be dangerous. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimated in 1992 that at least 100 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from their improper use in nursing homes, hospitals and private homes. Most of the deaths are due to strangulation. The agency has also received reports of broken bones, burns and other injuries related to improper use of restraints.
Because of the potential for abuse, the use of medical restraints is regulated in many jurisdictions.
Main article: Medical play
Types of medical restraints
- Posey is a vest that can be placed on a patient like any other vest garment. It has a long strap at each end that can be tied behind a chair in order to prevent the patient from getting out of the chair, or to the sides of a bed to keep the patient in bed.
- Limb restraints are used to prevent activity in various limbs. They are wrapped around the wrists or ankles, and tied to the side of a bed, to prevent the patient from using one's arms, legs, hands, or feet from harming oneself or others.
Laws pertaining to medical restraints
Current law requires that medical restraints may only be used when ordered by a physician. Such a physician's order, which is subject to renewal upon expiration if necessary, is valid only for a maximum of 24 hours.
Other uses
Medical restraints have been fetishised by some people, and are used in many BDSM activities.
See also Medical Play and/or Four-point restraint Checkoff list
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