The AMA recently published an updated Position Statement on Use of restrictive practices in residential aged care facilities.
The updated document builds on the AMA position statement first published 2001 and revised in 2015.
The 2022 position statement outlines the role of medical specialists, primarily GPs, in prescribing chemical restraints to older people living in residential aged care. It outlines the AMA position on chemical restraints being used only as last resort and only after all other alternative management options have been exhausted. The principles of use of restraint in the position statement also address other pertinent issues such as the patients' known wishes expressed through their advance care directive, obtaining consent for use of restraints, and only using restraints as a temporary solution.
The updated position statement further stresses the importance of staff to resident ratios in aged care and staff training, as well as continuity of care, as key pre-conditions for better management of challenging and changed behaviours of older people in residential aged care.
The position statement can be viewed here: https://www.ama.com.au/articles/use-restrictive-practices-residential-aged-care-facilities-2022
