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Restraint as a Last Resort

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Local Tools and Documents

All About Me
Alternative approaches to restraint use algorithm
Patient identified as being at risk for possible restraint use
Patients at risk for restraint use: Create a care plan to avoid the use of restraints
Pharmacologic Restraint Management Worksheet
Professional Practice Notice (PPN)
Restraint as a last resort in the context of occupational therapy and physiotherapy practice
Restraint as a last resort: Causes and alternative options (Short version)
Restraint as a last resort: FAQs
Restraint as a Last Resort: Flowchart
Restraint Poster Series
When is a device a restraint or not a restraint?

Abbey Pain Scale
Behavioural Supports Ontario–Dementia Observation System (BSO-DOS©)
DOS Working Group (2019). Adapted with permission from Behavioural Supports Ontario Provincial Coordinating Office.
Behaviour Tracking Form
Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) for the Determination of Delirium
Functional Analysis − Substance Use Behaviour (Initial Assessment)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7−Item (GAD−7) Scale
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS)
Interdisciplinary Behaviour Tracking Record
part of the Patient Attendant Toolkit
Mental Health and Addictions: Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention Tool
Patient Attendant Toolkit
Caring Differently for Patient Populations Who Have Dementia and/or Delirium and are being Supported with Patient Attendants
The Patient Questionnaire (PHQ−9)
Pieces of my Personhood
Developed and adopted from NE BSO Integrated Response Team
Plan of Care For: Risk of Violence
Preparing for Home: From Admission to Discharge
Nova Scotia Health Patient Pamphlet
Restraint Considerations for Patients and Families
Nova Scotia Health Patient Pamphlet
Restraint Monitoring Flowsheet
EFR Form ID # NS_RMF

External Educational Resources

7 Keys to Reduce Restraint of Older Adult Patients
Alberta Health Services, June 2018
Addiction & Mental Health: Health Care Provider Debriefing Tool
Alberta Health Services, 2020
Addiction & Mental Health: Ten Domains of De-escalation
Alberta Health Services, 2020
Addiction & Mental Health: Patient Debriefing Tool
Alberta Health Services, 2020
Causes of Agitated Behaviour: Critical Care
Alberta Health Services, 2020
Information to Consider When Restraint is used Addictions and Mental Health - Inpatient
Alberta Health Services
Management of Agitation Following Brain Injury – Rehabilitation and Acquired Brain Injury - Adult Patients
Alberta Health Services, 2020
Restraint as a Last Resort: Information for Prescribing Practitioners
Health Professions Strategy and Practice, Alberta Health Services, June 2018
Restraint as a Last Resort: Information for Prescribing Practitioners working with older adults
Restraint Policy Physician Education Working Group (RPPEWG), Calgary Seniors Health, June 2018
Restraint as a Last Resort Policy: Allied Health Clinical Scenarios: Adult
Allied Health Professional Practice & Education Team, Alberta Health Services, September 2018
Restraint as a Last Resort Policy: Clinical Decision-making Algorithm for Occupational Therapists & Physiotherapists
Allied Health Professional Practice & Education Team, Alberta Health Services, September 2018
Safe Care, Together: Safety expectations
Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention, Alberta Health Services
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC): Information for Health Professionals
eLearning series, Alberta Health Services
Treating Disruptive Behaviour in People with Dementia: Antipsychotic drugs are usually not the best choice
Choosing Wisely Canada
Alternative Approaches to the Use of Restraints: Identifying Risk Factors
Nursing Best Practice Guidelines, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
Achieving Best Life Experience (ABLE) Care Planning Guides
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Canadian Guidelines on Alcohol, Benzodiazepine, Cannabis and Opioid Use Disorder Among Older Adults
Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health

Legal Resources

InfoLAW: Patient Restraints
Canadian Nurses Protective Society
InfoLAW: Consent for the Incapable Adult
Canadian Nurses Protective Society

Patient Education

Restraint Considerations for Patients and Families
Nova Scotia Health Patient Pamphlet
Preparing for Home: From Admission to Discharge
Nova Scotia Health Patient Pamphlet

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Last updated: Oct 17, 2025 10:48 AM
URL: https://library.nshealth.ca/Restraint
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