Restraint as a Last Resort

NOTE All sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to the safety of patients, clients, staff and volunteers. The objectives of the Restraint as a Last Resort Policy and Procedure are to:

• Provide direction based on the principles of restraint as a last resort and the least restrictive restraint
• Promote consistency in decision-making processes
• Support a balance between the safety of patients and others, and restrictions on patient liberty

Restraint is used only when:

• other strategies have been deemed ineffective or inappropriate in the current circumstances, and
• there is a risk of harm to self or others.

Restraint: Anything that is intentionally used to limit the movement or behaviour of a resident and over which the resident has no control. Restraints may be physical, environmental or chemical. A resident is restrained if he or she cannot remove a physical device, leave a specific area, or refuse a chemical restraint.

NOTE Video above is based on March 2023 version of Restraint as a Last Resort Policy & Procedure Education Session.

Learning Management System Courses

These courses are available on the Provincial Learning Management System (LMS):

• Non Violent Crisis Intervention
• Introduction to Workplace Violence Part 1
• Introduction to Workplace Violence Part 2

Additional Education Resources