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The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario conducts death investigations and inquests to ensure that no death is missed or overlooked. Their findings and recommendations are used to improve public safety and prevent similar deaths in the future. The Coroner's Office shares these reports with regulatory colleges and may request the development of professional guidance for registrants to address the findings in the report.
The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario requested COTO implement a recommendation to prevent future deaths and injuries when occupational therapists are prescribing a lap belt for clients. The Geriatric and Long-Term Care Death Review Committee (GLTCRC) released a report concerning a death where the use of a wheelchair lap belt was a contributing factor. The GLTCRC made recommendations highlighting the potential dangers of lap belts, the consideration of alternative devices and to follow facility restraint policies if applicable.
The College Response to the Coroner’s Report: Death Related to Wheelchair Lap Belt is a practice resource intended to alert occupational therapists to those dangers, assist them in identifying risks associated with prescribing lap belts and support their clinical decision-making.
This guidance is available in both English and French.
If you have any questions about this practice resource, please contact practice@coto.org or 1-800-890-6570/416-214-1177 x240.
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