Characteristics of nursing homes that are restraint free

Using nationally representative data from the On-line Survey and Certification of Automated Records (OSCAR) and the Area Resource File (ARF), comprising 15,074 nursing homes, the differences between restraint free and non-restraint free nursing homes were examined. Restraint free nursing homes were found more likely to have residents with less ADL deficiencies and lower average numbers of residents who were bowel or bladder incontinent. They were more likely to be not-for-profit, smaller, low occupancy facilities that did not belong to nursing home chains, and were located in urban and more competitive areas. With regard to staffing factors, restraint free facilities had a richer mix of nursing staff, although the total number of staff per resident did not differ. Restraint free facilities were likely to utilize more full-time equivalent (FTE) registered nurses (RNs) per resident, but less FTE nurse aides and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) per resident. Psychoactive drug use rates did not differ between the types of homes.