The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that the percent of nursing home residents using restraints fell to 5% in 2007. That’s down by more than half since 1999. This is encouraging news, as restrained residents are prone to a range of problems that include pressure sores, chronic constipation, incontinence and emotional duress. McKnight’s Product Buzz generally lauds the expansion of products in the field. But this is one area where we’re happy to see a downturn.