Technical Tips: Restraint Use in Healthcare - What Neurodiagnostic Technologists Need to Know

In healthcare, it is not uncommon for neurodiagnostic technologists to provide care and testing for patients who are in restraints or in need of restraints. When properly used, restraints ensure patient safety and the safety of others while allowing the continuation of life saving tests and treatments. Oversight for restraint use is provided by outside agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission (TJC). Improper use of restraints can lead to serious sanctions by both organizations and can negatively impact patients, leaving them with emotional and psychological trauma. The process of restraint management such as ordering, implementing, or monitoring restrained patients is not within the scope of practice for neurodiagnostic technologists. Restraints should only be utilized as a last resort for the safety of the patient to receive proper care. This paper seeks to inform Technologists on what does and does not constitute a restraint, and the factors that should be considered before making the decision to request use of restraints in order to perform neurodiagnostic testing.