Years after Connecticut lawmakers ordered policy changes in the use of restraints for psychiatric patients, the state’s hospitals still restrain patients at double the average national rate, Lisa Chedekel reported in May. Analyzing federal data, Lisa found that Connecticut: * Ranked in the top fourth of states in the use of physical restraints in inpatient psychiatric facilities. * Ranked third highest in restraining patients 65 and older. * Lagged behind other states in providing adequate post-discharge care plans for psychiatric patients, especially teens and the elderly. Patient and health care advocates raised concerns that the progress made to minimize the use of restraints in the early 2000s was beginning to erode.
