Physical restraint use in Turkish intensive care units

This study aimed to determine intensive care nurses' reasons for the application and removal of physical restraint and physical restraint patterns used in Turkey intensive care units.

This research was conducted using descriptive and cross-sectional research design.

Data were collected in intensive care units of the 2 university hospitals and the 5 state hospitals in Izmir, West Turkey. Nurses were given the self-administered questionnaire with open-ended questions.

The study participants were 190 nurses working in intensive care units of 7 hospitals.

Most of the nurses (86.8%) reported that maintenance of the placement of medical devices was the main reason for physical restraint applications. The nurses (68.9%) reported improved mental status as the most important reason for removal of restraint from the patient. A total of 84.7% of nurses reported that wrist and ankle ties were the most common forms of physical restraint device; 84.7% used physical restraint without any verbal or written physician order.

Identifying the reasons for application and removal of physical restraints can help clinical nurse specialist tailor education, impact policy, and serve as role models to reduce the use of restraints in hospitals.