TNAG-1361-FCO40-1807-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 14

2

Therefor

rainers asu used in par

criar for thrus meln was.ne

(a) as part of good nursing and medical care 30 De to MEUVENT

the patient from interfering with the life oupporting devices and modes of treatment and to prometu the hosting

(b) to provent the pretont from anjuring himeof; and

(c) to pzovent the patio from falling.

I

furcher assured that

there restrainers aru used with

duecaro and only when considered nocospery by train od staff and

oven then they are not regarded as a substituco for personal observation

by the staff. The worá "restrainer" perhaps dous not adequately

describe this aid to nursing as it may conjure up an image of confano-

ment and complete immobilisation.

In fact, the usual form of restrainers

used in the wards

is a vost which is WOLN in such a way that tho

patient is allowed a comfortablo range of movements consistent with

his condition and it is removed as soon as it is no longer required.

It has been suggostod ther a better nurse-staffing ratio

may minimise or even eliminate the use of restrainers entirely.

I am given to understand by my staff that in prastico it may

not be possible to dispence with the use of restrainers altogether,

This is because of the fact that there will always be situation or

circumstances which will require the use of restrainore irzespective

of the numbers of staff in the wardes

Further, there must be a limit to increase in staff ratio in

practice by reason of the fact that manpower resources ako fiite.

Improved staff ratio therefore cannot be coneidrod as an alternative

to the use of restrainers which are applied for specific purposes.

1.000

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