What Happens Next?

When a resident of a nursing home who poses a danger to himself he is not periodically restrained dies when the shoulder strap of his chest restraint gets across his neck, the nursing home's staff are extremely distressed. The staff becomes even more so when state and federal regulatory agencies carry out an aggressive investigation. Though no fault is cast, the staff are now wary of using restraints and question how best to protect residents who become agitated and may cause harm to themselves or others. Comments on the case illustrate how clinicians that provide long-term care must balance competing obligations to residents and staff. Obligations of facility administrators on their staff in times of case investigations; Role of the administrators and staff in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents; Details on the case.