Posey Sitter Elite® - Manual (Page 29)

Sitter Elite 29
The Sitter Elite and Use of Physical Restraints
The use of physical restraints should be a last resort, and only after a full physical and mental
assessment by the facility healthcare team. If the patient’s Care Plan calls for the use of a
restraint, staff should read and follow all instructions and warnings for the device you choose.
The position of the sensor pad is vital when using a restraint. Make sure the restraint is applied
correctly per instructions for that device. Straps must NOT cross over sensor pad.
For bed use, sensor pad should be placed at shoulder blade level so alarm will activate if
patient sits up, tries to climb over side rails, or scoots to bottom of bed (see fig. 36, page 26).
If straps cross over sensor pad and patient moves, pressure from straps may prevent
alarm from activating. If patient falls out of bed or chair and is suspended in the restraint,
serious injury or death may occur from chest compression or suffocation (fig. 47).
• ALWAYS use Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup (HBSW*) compliant bed side rails. Use
gap fillers to reduce the risk that patient’s body or limbs may fit over, under, around,
through or between rails.
• Full compliant bed side rails must be UP when restraints are used on a patient.
To reduce the risk of entrapment, use side rail covers, especially with split side rails. A
failure to do so may result in serious injury or death if patient’s body goes under, around,
through or between the bed side rails.
Use extreme caution with chair cushions. If a cushion dislodges, straps may loosen and
allow patient to slide off seat and become suspended.
Fig. 47
*http://www.fda.gov search keyword “HBSW”