• PR: PROJECT REFRESH: Restraint and Seclusion Standards Deletions (PDF)[REF: RN, SC, ’17] Perspectives July 2016, Vol 36, #7, Pg 5 JCp1607_B2

The first 131 of 225 EPs to be deleted as announced in May under TJC’s Project Refresh has now occurred (as of 7/1/16). The remaining 94 EPs that addressed restraint and seclusion are now scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2017. As of that date, all hospitals will be required to meet standards PC.03.05.01-PC.03.05.19 that were formerly only for those hospitals seeking accreditation for deemed status purposes. The old standards for non-seeming purposes were thought to be largely redundant and have been eliminated. Under the new consolidated approach, there is no requirement for determining behavioral vs. medical reason for reasons for restraint or for conducting a debriefing of the individual afterwards. Note, there is no prohibition against the latter.
Tip: Although not required under the consolidated EPs or by CMS, clinical leaders should seriously consider continuing/crafting the practice of meaningful (vs. pro-forma) patient debriefings for the information and opportunities they provide for prevention… especially for patients who experience multiple, frequent restraints.
See also RTN review of: Project REFRESH and Improving the Survey Experience (PDF) Perspectives May 2016, Vol 36, #4, Pg 3