Lap buddies, do most LTC facilities still allow them?

[Kay28]

I work in a pretty well respected LTC facility which shys away from anything that might be considered a restraint. I have one resident who used to have a lap buddy, to remind her not to fall out of her chair (she could move it herself and usually used it as a pillow). I can understand not using posey or wrist restraint at all, but whats so wrong with a lap buddie????? Thank you!

[biker nurse]

Yes, we still use them. If the resident can remove it themselves it is NOT considered a restraint. If the resident could NOT remove it themselves it IS a restraint and would have to be removed Q2h and family had to give permission.

Hope this helps

[Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN]

We used them on 1 or 2 patients out of 60. In my opinion, it is a better option than falling out of a wheelchair because they bent over to pick something up off the floor or bent down to tie their shoelaces (these were both falls I had). I use a seatbelt for other patients to prevent falls (children, quads, muscular dystrophy) and it's not a restraint. Most of the time the family would REQUEST a restraint (like a seatbelt) and we couldn't do it without an MD order with a PT evaluation.

[prowlingMA]

We used them in a LTC I have worked in but ALF, is going restraint free, so they are being used less often.

[brendamyheart]

No lap budy here.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

We use them on occasion. If it's a dementia patient we try to get the lap buddy that has things built in to keep them occupied.

[TracyB,RN, RN]

Don't see them used very often... but think they're great.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

My facility still utilizes them on occasion for the highest-risk residents.

[bethin]

We're not allowed to use them nor trays on geri-chairs and only 2 rails up on beds.

Thankfully, we are a small unit (15 beds) and is well staffed so we are able to watch the residents closely. If they are sitting in a chair or geri chair we put an alarm on them so we know if they move an inch. We actually have had less falls since using the alarms.

[catslave]

We use lap buddies - they must be physician ordered, care planned, approved by the POA and removed q2h. Also use seat belts that sound an alarm when unbuckled and can be removed by the resident following the same criterion as the lap buddie.

[nightmare, RN]

We can only use lap belts if the wheelchair is in motion.If it is static then the lap belt counts as restraint! I'm not sure what a lap buddy is,can someone describe it?

[Kay28]

If they are sitting in a chair or geri chair we put an alarm on them so we know if they move an inch. We actually have had less falls since using the alarms.

What would your facilty do if the resident knows how to remove all types of available alarms? I've tried tab alarms, chair alarms, bed alarms, geri chairs with the legs up, all side rails up, a table with towels to fold in front of her, and many more on one particular resident. We also are not staffed well enough to have someone watch her 24/7. The RN has started bringing her with her on med rounds into everyones room. Suggestions anyone?