Healthcare Inspection - Use of Restraints Salem VA Medical Center Salem, Virginia

The VA Office of Inspector General Office of Healthcare Inspections conducted an inspection to determine the validity of allegations regarding the use of restraints at the Salem VA Medical Center (the facility), Salem, Virginia. A complainant alleged that a nurse made comments that provoked a patient into striking two staff members which resulted in the patient being kept in restraints as punishment for more than 24 hours and that facility leadership did not respond to past reported allegations of other patient mistreatment. We did not substantiate the allegations. We found no evidence that a nurse provoked the patient to act out, or that the patient was kept in restraints as a form of punishment. The initiation and continued use of restraints was appropriate and adequately documented to ensure the patient’s and staff members’ safety. We found that facility leaders investigated the patient’s mistreatment allegations and determined that no further action was required. We identified an opportunity to improve the observation and 15-minute check sheets used for patients in restraints. We discussed this with facility leaders while on-site. Therefore, we made no recommendations.