Canadian critical care nurses and physical restraints

While physical restraints are frequently used in Canadian critical care units, a limited number of studies related to this practice have been conducted. In this article, the author describes the findings from a survey about physical restraints which was completed by nurses who attended a 1998 conference of the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses. The purpose of the study was to identify Canadian critical care nurses' knowledge, practice, and attitudes related to the use of physical restraints. Major findings included a mean score of 77% in knowledge of restraints, a lack of uniform restraint practices, and the fact that many nurses experience negative emotions related to the use of restraints. Participants typically used wrist restraints to prevent injury or removal of invasive therapeutic devices. The most commonly suggested alternatives for restraints included constant observation or medications. The results of this survey suggest that critical care nurses require further education in order to improve their knowledge and to standardize nursing practice protocols related to the use of restraints. Further research to identify appropriate restraint alternatives, specifically for critical care, is required.