To lock or unlock wheel chair..

[Hausfrau]

Just a quick question because I am confused. I want to see what others were taught..

1st time I got my CNA and worked as a CNA.. it was considered a huge no no to wheel a resident somewhere and then lock their wheel chair, and walk away. I know it probably depends on the circumstances, but they said if we did this then it was a form of "restraint" (which we can't do..)

Well 2nd CNA around I have been told to lock the wheel chair because we don't want them disappearing on us, or falling out (??)..

So honestly, I am confused.. it probably just depends on the patient? Common Sense? Is there any truth to the "restraint" aspect I was taught several years ago?

Too add.. I worked with dementia residents, so if we locked the chair, obviously they may be confused as to why they can't move & not be able to figure out how to wheel themselves around. Is that why I was taught that? Maybe my 2nd teacher is referring to injured patients who couldn't wheel themselves?

[cursenurse]

I dont see any reason to lock a w/c unless you are about to transfer the pt. I do think that would be a form of restraint because if the person cant walk and their only means of getting around is wheeling themselves then they are being restrained to that area. Even if they are confused they still have the right to move around just like anyone else. I've worked in NHs/with dementia pt's for years and the goal should be making a safe environment for them to wander.

[emndarmic]

I just finished up my CNA classes earlier this month and was taught when parking someone in a wheelchair for a while to NOT lock the chair. I seen a lot of residents using their feet to pull the chair along during my clinicals. That has to be good for their legs. In any case, we were taught to lock them for transfers etc.

[Hausfrau]

Thanks to both of you. That's exactly what I was told by my first CNA instructor. I also remembered, it was a HUGE factor in preventing falls. If someone needs to be in a wheel chair, and you've left them somewhere.. say infront of a t.v. Now they want to go and they can't figure out their breaks.... well guess what? A confused resident may try and get up!

I can't believe I've been told otherwise now..

[pharmgirl]

Just finished my CNA class as well and was taught to only lock a wheelchair when transferring. 20 years ago when I took it the first time, restraints weren't so center stage and we were taught to lock the wheel chair to prevent it from rolling off somewhere with the patient along for the ride.

[One Flew Over]

I had a patient who could move her wheelchair with her legs. Someone locked it while she was in the TV room, it was when I went to find her so I could toilet her, that I realized the poor woman was stuck. She hugged and kissed me for "rescuing" her. But my point is, it should be thought of as a restraint, because sometimes those brakes are hard for them to unlock.

Also on another note, you could have a stroke patient thats seemingly strong, but with one bad arm. Even if they can get one of them undone, they can't get the other one.