Fatalities related to medical restraint devices—Asphyxia is a common finding

Karger, B.; Fracasso, Tony; Pfeiffer, Heidi

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.03.016

Cited by 42 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…There have been several reports of sudden, unexpected deaths occurring in restraint situations in the last two decades . This case illustrates a situation where physical restraint in the prone position seemed unavoidable, and almost ended fatally.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Physical Restraint and Near Death of a Psychiatric Patient

Nissen

Rørvik

Haugslett

et al. 2012

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Physical restraint is used as a last resort emergency measure to calm and safeguard agitated and/or aggressive psychiatric patients. This can sometimes cause injuries, and rare fatalities have occurred. One mechanism of injury and death while in physical restraint is that of severe asphyxiation. We present the case of a hospitalized man in his mid-30s, suffering from schizophrenia. The patient was obese. He became aggressive and had to be manually restrained with a "takedown." After having been put in the prone position on the floor with a significant weight load on his body, he lost respiration and consciousness. Subsequently, he was given CPR. He regained consciousness and respiration, while the cyanosis receded in 1-2 min. Psychiatrists and pathologists should be aware that physically restraining a patient in the prone position with a significant weight load on the torso can, in rare cases, lead to asphyxiation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Physical Restraint and Near Death of a Psychiatric Patient

Nissen

Rørvik

Haugslett

et al. 2012

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…4,5 In fact, restraint use has been associated with negative patient outcomes, including increased risk of delirium and agitation, 6,7 pressure ulcers, 8,9 falls, 5,8,10 contractures, 8,9 lengthened hospital stay, 11 and death. 9,12 Often, their use is a source of moral distress for family members and professional staff. 13,14 Older adult patients generally report being traumatized and depersonalized by the use of physical restraints, and in some studies family members expressed similar concerns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of Physical Restraint Use in Hospitalized Veterans at End of Life: An Analysis of Data from the BEACON Trial

Kvale¹,

Dionne‐Odom

Redden

et al. 2015

Journal of Palliative Medicine

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“…Restraints also increase an older adult's risk of delirium and agitation and lead to deconditioning, functional decline, walking dependency, and incontinence . Restraints can cause direct and indirect injury, including strangulation, asphyxiation, trauma, aspiration, and cardiac arrest . Despite the lack of evidence showing benefit, physical restraint use is common in acute care hospitals in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%