F0604

D

Failure to Assess and Monitor Use of Abdominal Binder as a Physical Restraint

Palmyra, Pennsylvania Survey Completed on 03-05-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The facility failed to assess and conduct ongoing assessments for the use of a physical restraint for one resident, as required by its restraint policy. The facility’s policy, last reviewed in November 2025, defined physical restraints as any device attached to or adjacent to the resident’s body that the resident cannot easily remove and that restricts access to the body, and required restraint use to be assessed on admission/readmission and at least quarterly for elimination, reduction, or continued need. Clinical record review showed that the resident had diagnoses including cerebral infarction (stroke) and hemiplegia. On multiple observations over two days, the resident was seen in bed and in a wheelchair wearing an abdominal binder, a wide elastic compression belt that restricts access to the stomach area. In an interview, the Regional Clinical Director stated it was unknown whether the resident could remove the abdominal binder without assistance. There was no documented evidence that the facility completed an initial restraint evaluation or ongoing restraint assessments to determine the need for this restraint in accordance with facility policy and applicable state regulations (28 Pa. Code 201.12(d)(1) and 211.8(e)(f)).