Clinical holding

Question 1

Before clinical holding is instigated what should the healthcare professional consider?

Answer 1

• Introduction and approach including consent.
• Assessment of the clinical situation
• The most suitable clinical holding technique
• The environment
• Time of the procedure or medical examination
• The patient’s behaviour
• The patient’s underlying medical conditions
• The patient’s age
• The patient’s mental capacity
• Duty of care

Question 2

What considerations should be discussed and documented?

Answer 2

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology and how the body moves.
• The choice of clinical hold
• Purpose and benefit of the hold
• Characteristics of the hold
• Evaluation of risk factors and actions taken
• Number of people required to apply this technique and their roles
• How many attempts will be made
• The patient’s preference
• Consent or best interests
• When and why would you stop the procedure?