10/30/2025

You Asked... We Answered...

You Asked: Is a seatbelt considered a restraint if it is used to manage a resident’s condition such as multiple sclerosis? 

We Answered: Treatment of a resident’s condition does not eliminate a device from being considered a restraint. In State Operations Manual Appendix PP,  CMS states that while physical restraints may be used to treat a resident’s medical symptom, the devices may create a risk for entrapment. Physical restraints are defined as any manual method, physical or mechanical device/equipment or material that meets all of the following criteria: 

• Is attached or adjacent to a resident’s body; 

• Cannot be removed easily by the resident; and 

• Restricts the resident’s freedom of movement or normal access to his/her body.