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Indicators & Change Ideas

Are you looking to improve the issues facing today’s health care system?

 

Explore the quality indicators being tracked by health care organizations in Ontario through Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) and change ideas to help improve them. Connect with others to share your experiences and ideas of your own.

INDICATORS & CHANGE IDEAS

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Percentage of long-term care residents in daily physical restraints

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The use of physical restraints in long-term care is a significant concern. While restraints are sometimes used with the intention of preventing harm, they can lead to serious physical complications, such as reduced mobility, pressure injuries, and an increased risk of falls. Restraints can also cause psychological harm, including confusion, agitation, and depression. For many residents, restraint use negatively impacts dignity and quality of life. Minimizing restraint use is therefore a key priority in providing safe, resident-centred care and improving overall health outcomes in long-term care settings.

Key Resources

Change Ideas

Train all staff on alternatives to restraint use

  • Deliver mandatory education sessions on evidence-based, non-restraint interventions
  • Use real case scenarios to demonstrate how to de-escalate behaviours without physical restriction
  • Conduct hands-on workshops for staff to practise communication, redirection, and environmental modification strategies

Enforce a least restraint policy

  • Implement a clear home-wide policy prioritizing alternatives before any restraint use
  • Audit restraint use regularly to ensure compliance with the Fixing Long-Term Care Act and professional standards
  • Require documentation of the rationale for any restraint use, including all attempted alternatives and reassessment plans

Complete individualized assessments for every resident

  • Assess all residents within 24 hours of admission for fall risk, mobility challenges, and triggers for responsive behaviours
  • Reassess after any significant health, cognitive, or behavioural change
  • Use assessment findings to create tailored safety and mobility plans that avoid restraints

Apply targeted mobility and environmental strategies

  • Engage physiotherapists to improve mobility, balance, and strength through exercise programs
  • Have occupational therapists adapt the environment with clear signage, grab bars, and low beds to support orientation and reduce wandering risks
  • Adjust lighting, noise levels, and room layouts to prevent confusion and agitation

Partner with residents and families

  • Discuss restraint policies, risks, and alternatives during care conferences
  • Provide residents and families with information on safe, non-restrictive safety measures
  • Involve residents and families in co-designing mobility and activity plans that maintain dignity and independence

Percentage of long-term care residents in daily physical restraints

0 Comments

The use of physical restraints in long-term care is a significant concern. While restraints are sometimes used with the intention of preventing harm, they can lead to serious physical complications, such as reduced mobility, pressure injuries, and an increased risk of falls. Restraints can also cause psychological harm, including confusion, agitation, and depression. For many residents, restraint use negatively impacts dignity and quality of life. Minimizing restraint use is therefore a key priority in providing safe, resident-centred care and improving overall health outcomes in long-term care settings.

Key Resources

Change Ideas

Train all staff on alternatives to restraint use

  • Deliver mandatory education sessions on evidence-based, non-restraint interventions
  • Use real case scenarios to demonstrate how to de-escalate behaviours without physical restriction
  • Conduct hands-on workshops for staff to practise communication, redirection, and environmental modification strategies

Enforce a least restraint policy

  • Implement a clear home-wide policy prioritizing alternatives before any restraint use
  • Audit restraint use regularly to ensure compliance with the Fixing Long-Term Care Act and professional standards
  • Require documentation of the rationale for any restraint use, including all attempted alternatives and reassessment plans

Complete individualized assessments for every resident

  • Assess all residents within 24 hours of admission for fall risk, mobility challenges, and triggers for responsive behaviours
  • Reassess after any significant health, cognitive, or behavioural change
  • Use assessment findings to create tailored safety and mobility plans that avoid restraints

Apply targeted mobility and environmental strategies

  • Engage physiotherapists to improve mobility, balance, and strength through exercise programs
  • Have occupational therapists adapt the environment with clear signage, grab bars, and low beds to support orientation and reduce wandering risks
  • Adjust lighting, noise levels, and room layouts to prevent confusion and agitation

Partner with residents and families

  • Discuss restraint policies, risks, and alternatives during care conferences
  • Provide residents and families with information on safe, non-restrictive safety measures
  • Involve residents and families in co-designing mobility and activity plans that maintain dignity and independence
Aaron Miller True