[Restraining measures in the hospital and nursing home]

Abstract

Time and time again, physicians and nursing staff are confronted with a need to apply compulsory fixation measures to hospital patients or nursing home residents. This may be necessary to protect the physical integrity either of the patient himself or of others. When applying coercive measures, careful consideration must be given to the respective hazard potential. The care-providing physician must exercise great care with regard to the selection, implementation and documentation of the measures to be employed.