The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter to clarify the terms used in the definition of physical restraints in long-term care facilities. The letter emphasizes that residents have the right to be free from physical or chemical restraints unless required for medical treatment. Physical restraints are defined as any method or device that restricts freedom of movement or normal access to one's body and cannot be easily removed by the resident. The letter provides clarification on terms such as "freedom of movement" and "remove easily." It also highlights that physical restraints have a limited role in medical care and can increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Long-term care facilities must ensure they are accurately assessing devices as physical restraints and meeting federal requirements for their use.

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