Pittsburgh facility fined for unnecessary restraints

A nursing home in Squirrel Hill was fined more than $20,000 after being accused of restraining patients to their beds.  According to Health Department surveyors, patients at the Wightman Street nursing home were restrained, but there was no documentation by doctors showing the restraints were necessary.

According to the inspection report, one patient was found with a seat belt wrapped tightly around his chest, on the floor in front of his wheelchair.  The facility failed to investigate the incident.

A health department official said the facility used the restraints far too often. Typically, restraints are used on residents to prevent them from falling out of bed or wheelchairs.