Hospital Handcuffed Patients

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Pennsylvania hospital placed three patients in handcuffs without a physician's orders, a state health investigation has shown.
The Oct. 26 report issued by the state Health Department concluded that the Washington Hospital in Washington County had violated laws and regulations protecting patients' rights.
"Significant corrections evidencing compliance will be required," the report states.
A review of patients' records showed five patients were placed in restraints without first considering whether less restrictive interventions could have been applied.
In addition to the three placed in handcuffs, the records showed two others were placed in restraints without consideration of less restrictive measures.
"The facility failed to ensure restraints would only be imposed to ensure the immediate safety of the patients, a staff member or for others," the report states.
In a plan of correction, the hospital said that in the future handcuffs would not be used unless the patient is in the presence of a police officer.
One of the cases cited was a 66-year-old male patient suffering acute alcohol withdrawal who was handcuffed "as a result of threatening staff.
A 52-year-old male admitted for a mental health evaluation was handcuffed "as a result of assaulting staff."
The third case was a 41-year-old male who was brought in by a police officer who had placed him in handcuffs.
A staffer told the state surveyors that when police bring a handcuffed patient to the hospital "we switch handcuffs and they stay on until the doctor gives an order to release them."
In the plan of correction the hospital stated that in the future handcuffs will not be used until a physician assesses the patient.
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