"“Our patients retain their freedom within a confined space (canopy bed). This allows us to reduce the use of direct physical restraints on the body and sedative drugs.”"
Wim Denolf, Consultant Fall Prevention & restraints - Hospital AZ Delta – Roeselare, Belgium
AZ Delta
Restraints have physical effects, such as pressure sores, respiratory problems, and psychological effects, such as anxiety and loss of self-esteem. As a result, in 2015 AZ Delta decided to use canopy beds within our policy of using as little restraints as possible. By offering a protected sleeping environment that limits external stimuli when restless, we have noticed that patients become calmer. Our patients keep their freedom within a confined space (canopy bed). This allows us to reduce the use of direct physical restraints on the body and sedative drugs. Where there were certain doubts at the beginning, the doctors and staff turned into enthusiasm because of the visible good results. As a result of these positive experiences, the bed is now widely used as an alternative with restless and complex behaviours.
The AZ Delta now has 5 canopy beds, which are being used within the following departments: geriatrics, psychiatry, neurology, palliative care, rehabilitation and pediatrics. Despite the fact that the canopy bed is a very good alternative to direct physical restraints, it remains a form of freedom depreviation. In this context, the AZ Delta makes an informed decision in consultation with family and specialists. The aim is always to keep rreedom depreviation to a minimum and thus strive for humane care guidelines. (Wim Denolf, Fall Prevention & reduction of restraints Consultant - AZ Delta Hospital - Roeselare, Belgium).
