Improper Use of Physical Restraints on a Resident
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to the improper use of physical restraints for one resident. During the overnight shift, a staff member placed a bedside tray table and wheelchair against the resident's bed, which restricted the resident's ability to move freely. This action was captured on video and reported by the resident's family, who alleged that the resident was restrained during the night. The staff member involved was suspended pending investigation, and the assigned LPN did not respond to facility inquiries regarding the incident. The resident involved had a documented medical history that included multiple diagnoses and was assessed using the Minimum Data Set (MDS), which indicated cognitive status and care needs. The resident's care plan included interventions requested by the family, but there was no documentation or evidence that the use of physical restraints was required to treat the resident's medical symptoms. The facility's policy on a restraint-free environment defines physical restraints as any device or equipment that the resident cannot remove easily and prohibits their use for discipline or convenience. Interviews with staff confirmed that the tray table and wheelchair were intentionally positioned to restrict the resident's movement, and staff acknowledged that this constituted a restraint. The facility failed to ensure that the resident was free from physical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience, as required by federal regulations. The deficiency was substantiated by direct observation, interviews, and review of facility documentation.
Plan Of Correction
F-604 Right to be Free from Physical Restraints Element 1: Resident number 2 was immediately assessed by Licensed Nurse with [R]. Resident was also assessed by Nurse Practitioner or [R] with [R]. Involved [R] was immediately suspended pending investigation on [R]. The [R] received a one-on-one re-education from the Director of Nursing and licensed nurse educator on Residents' rights, identifying and reporting [R] prevention and reporting or [R]. The involved [R] was reported to the Board of Nursing on 06/09/2025 and blocked from returning to the facility. A FRIDAY form was completed and submitted to the Department of Health for the [R] on 6/9/2025. The [R] returned to work on [R]. A repeat in-service education was provided by the Director of Nursing on Residents' rights, identifying and reporting [R] prevention and reporting. The [R] is placed on a 30-day Performance Improvement probationary period and will be monitored and reviewed by the Director of Nursing/designee. Element 2: Address how the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice. All residents have the potential to be affected by this cited practice. Element 3: Address what measures will be put into place or systemic changes made to ensure that the deficient practice will not recur. On NJ Executive Order 26.451, and ongoing, ALL staff were re-educated by the Director of Nursing and licensed nurse staff educator on Federal regulations on restraint use and prohibition under F604. Abuse prevention, reporting, and intervention. Steps to protect residents when restraint use is observed, or abuse is suspected. ALL staff signed attendance sheets and demonstrated understanding through return demonstrations, written quizzes, or verbal validation. This in-service education and competencies will be given during orientation for newly hired staff, annually, and as deemed necessary by the nurse educator. Element 4: Indicate how the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure that solutions are sustained. The Director of Nursing/Designee will do weekly random audits of 15 residents for 4 weeks covering all shifts to ensure that residents are free from physical restraint, then monthly for 3 months. Negative findings will be addressed immediately through one-on-one re-in-service education, progressive disciplinary measures as appropriate by the Director of Nursing and/or nursing supervisors. The results of all audits will be submitted to the Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) committee, who meets quarterly for review and will determine the necessity of future audits and recommendations. Completion date: 07/09/2025.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Body pillows were used as restraints for three residents with significant cognitive and mobility impairments. Staff placed body pillows under sheets or tightly against the bed to keep residents in bed or prevent them from removing the pillows, and an NA stated this was done so a resident would not try to get out of or roll out of bed. The LPN and DON stated that placing body pillows this way made them a restraint.
Failure to assess whether a mattress bolster was a restraint for a resident with dementia, anemia, and HTN. The resident’s care plan included bolsters to bed for fall risk, and staff observed the resident in bed with bilateral raised mattress edges, but the record had no assessments or ongoing evaluations of bolster use. A UM confirmed the facility did not assess the resident’s functional status to determine whether the bolster was a restraint.
Improper Use of Roll Bolster as a Physical Restraint: A resident with dementia and severe cognitive impairment was observed with a Roll Bolster secured along the side of the bed, limiting the ability to sit up, stand, or get out of bed independently. Staff stated it was being used to prevent the resident from rolling over and exiting the bed, but there was no physician order, no documented use of alternative measures, no informed consent from the responsible party, and no care plan for the device. The facility policy identified such a device as a physical restraint when it restricts movement.
A resident with epilepsy and profound intellectual disabilities remained in a padded wheelchair with a lap belt and helmet, but staff did not release the belt during supervised care and meals. The DON stated the belt should be released when supervised and at least every two hours, yet the restraint reduction assessment was copied from an older date and staff said they had not tried to reduce the restraint because the resident’s epilepsy had not changed.
Failure to Complete Quarterly Restraint Reassessments: A resident with quadriplegia, muscle weakness, and impaired mobility used a wheelchair seat belt and lap tray, and observations showed both devices in place while the resident was in a power wheelchair. Although the care plan addressed the seat belt and noted the resident could independently lock and release it, the EMR showed the last restraint quarterly assessment was completed months earlier, with no later reassessment documented. RN and DON interviews confirmed the quarterly reassessment was expected but had not been completed.
A resident with intact cognition and behavioral symptoms including paranoia, hallucinations, and attempts to leave the building became highly agitated, pulled fire alarms, entered other residents’ rooms, and handled a fire extinguisher. Video and staff statements showed an LPN/CNA physically held the resident by the wrist, waist, and back while escorting the resident to the room, despite no order authorizing restraint and the resident not consenting to the contact.
Body pillows used as restraints
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure body pillows used as positioning devices were not implemented as physical restraints for 3 of 3 residents reviewed for restraints. R5 had diagnoses including a right femur fracture, osteoarthritis, dementia, osteoporosis, and a history of falling. After a witnessed fall, staff placed a body pillow under the sheets to prevent further self-ambulation, and the fall care plan was revised to include the body pillow under the sheets. R5 later had another incident in which she was found on the floor at the foot of the bed after family had placed her in bed without staff assistance. R11 had diagnoses of hemiplegia and hemiparesis affecting the left side and dementia. Her fall review identified her as at risk for falls due to scheduled narcotics, psychotropics, bowel and bladder incontinence, and being alert but unaware of mobility limitations. Her care plan included a body pillow for repositioning when in bed. During observation, staff placed a body pillow between R11 and the side of the bed underneath the sheet and tucked it securely into place, and the NA stated the body pillow was used to keep R11 in bed. R10 had diagnoses of hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction. Her MDS identified moderate cognitive impairment, daily physical and verbal behaviors, daily rejection of care, and need for substantial to maximum assistance with bed mobility and transfers. Her care plan included body pillows to outline the mattress parameter. During observation, a body pillow was tucked under the mattress sheet on the side of the bed, and the NA stated it was placed tightly so R10 would not remove it and so he would not attempt to get out of or roll out of bed. The nurse manager and DON stated body pillows should never be placed under the sheets to keep residents from getting out of bed and that doing so made the body pillow a restraint.
Failure to Assess Mattress Bolster as a Possible Restraint
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess the functional status of Resident R23 to determine whether the use of a bolster on the mattress was a restraint. Facility policy defined physical restraints as any method or device attached to or adjacent to the resident’s body that the individual cannot remove easily and that restricts freedom of movement or normal access to the body. Resident R23’s record showed admission to the facility, diagnoses of high blood pressure, dementia, and anemia, and a physician order for a bolster mattress to bed dated 12/23/24. Resident R23’s care plan identified the resident as high risk for falls related to confusion, psychoactive drug use, a history of a fall at home with left hip fracture, and poor balance and safety awareness, with interventions including bolsters to bed when in bed. During observation on 6/23/26 at 9:47 a.m., Resident R23 was lying in bed with a mattress that had bilateral raised edges on the top and bottom portions. The clinical record did not identify any assessments or ongoing evaluations for the use of bolsters on the resident’s mattress, and a Unit Manager confirmed on 6/26/26 at 9:26 a.m. that the facility failed to assess whether the bolster was a restraint for the resident.
Improper Use of Roll Bolster as a Physical Restraint
Penalty
Summary
Resident 67 was observed with a Roll Bolster secured to the left side of the bed, extending from the shoulder to the lower extremities and restricting the resident’s ability to sit up, stand, or reposition independently. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including dementia, fracture of the left humerus, and muscle wasting, and the H&P stated the resident did not have the capacity to understand and make decisions. The MDS indicated severely impaired cognitive skills and moderate assistance was needed with ADLs. The facility used the Roll Bolster to prevent the resident from getting out of bed and rolling over, but the record review found no physician order for the device, no documented evidence that alternative measures were used before it was placed, and no informed consent from the responsible party. During interviews, staff stated the bolster was being used to keep the resident from getting out of bed, and the DON confirmed there was no documented physician order, no informed consent, and no care plan developed for the use of the Roll Bolster. The facility’s policy stated that any mechanical device attached to or adjacent to a resident’s body that restricts freedom of movement is a physical restraint and requires a physician’s order, informed consent, documentation, care planning, ongoing monitoring, and periodic reevaluation. The RDCO stated that if the bolster inhibits the resident’s ability to get out of bed, it is considered a restraint, and the DON stated staff should have obtained a physician’s order, consent, and notified the resident or responsible party before placing any restraint.
Failure to Reduce and Release Wheelchair Lap Belt
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to attempt a reduction of a resident’s restraint and failed to release the restraint when the resident was supervised. Resident R3 had diagnoses including epilepsy, profound intellectual disabilities, dysphagia, osteoporosis, and acute kidney failure, and was using a lap belt while seated in a padded wheelchair along with a protective helmet. During observation at lunch, R3 remained in the wheelchair with the seatbelt in place while staff removed the helmet and assisted with feeding; the seatbelt was not released during the supervised meal. Staff stated the helmet is removed at lunch and that the new padded wheelchair was helping with positioning, and they reported that R3 rarely scoots anymore and only needed repositioning once earlier. Record review showed the restraint reduction assessment was dated 10/7/25 and stated R3 continued to require the lap belt because of poor trunk control, spastic involuntary movements, and seizures, with the belt released under direct supervision and by the resident’s mother. The progress notes from 1/1/26 through 6/23/26 did not show any falls from the padded reclining wheelchair. The DON stated the seatbelt should be released at least every two hours and when R3 is supervised, but also stated the assessment had been copied and pasted and that R3’s epilepsy diagnosis had not changed, so they had not tried to reduce the restraint. The care plan stated R3 needed the lap belt and helmet when left unattended in the wheelchair, and the facility policy required the need for a restraint to be re-evaluated at least quarterly with efforts made to eliminate continued use.
Failure to Complete Quarterly Restraint Reassessments
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure ongoing assessment and evaluation of physical restraints for a resident who used a wheelchair lap tray and seat belt. The resident had intact cognition and diagnoses including quadriplegia, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and abnormalities of gait and mobility. The quarterly MDS dated [DATE] identified that the resident did not use restraints, yet observations on 6/22/26 and 6/25/26 showed the resident seated and propelling in a power wheelchair with a secured seat belt and lap tray in place. The resident’s care plan dated 5/11/26 identified the seat belt use, noted the resident could lock and release it independently, and stated the resident had been educated on risks versus benefits and signed consent for use. The Physical Restraint Quarterly Assessment history showed the most recent assessment was completed on 2/17/26, and the EMR lacked evidence of any additional quarterly restraint assessments after that date. RN-A stated the nurse manager was responsible for reassessing continued need and ability to use the devices. The RNCM confirmed the assessment should have been completed after 2/17/26 and stated it had not triggered in the EMR system. The DON also confirmed another assessment should have been completed after 2/17/26 and stated quarterly assessments were expected to determine continued need, independent removal ability, and whether alternative interventions were needed.
Physical restraint used during behavioral episode
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to keep a resident free from physical restraints during a behavioral episode. Resident #1 had a BIMS score of 13, indicating intact cognition, and diagnoses that included hypertension, arthritis, and COPD. The resident’s care plan documented paranoia, negative statements, medication and care refusals, attempts to leave the building, calling the police, hallucinations, and delusions, with interventions focused on reassurance, leaving and returning later, calm communication, diversion, and protecting other residents by removing the resident to another location. During the overnight incident, Resident #1 pulled fire alarms, entered other residents’ rooms, screamed for help, ripped a telephone off the wall, destroyed it, and grabbed a fire extinguisher and aimed it at residents and staff. Staff reports and video evidence showed that Staff B approached Resident #1 from behind, placed an arm around the resident’s back, held the resident’s wrist, and secured the resident’s waist while escorting the resident back to the room. The report states that Resident #1 did not consent to the physical contact and could not disengage, and that the hold continued as the resident was guided down the hallway and into the room. Staff statements described the contact as an attempt to prevent a fall or calm the resident, but the facility’s own restraint-free policy defined physical restraint to include holding down a resident in response to behavioral symptoms or during care when the resident resists or refuses care. The record review found no order authorizing staff to physically restrain Resident #1. Interviews with staff and the DON confirmed that the facility did not consider physical restraints acceptable practice, yet the documented actions during the incident included holding the resident by the wrist, waist, and back while the resident resisted, lowered to the floor, and refused to stand.
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