[A Dutch roadmap for care without belts usage]

The use of physical restraints still is highly prevalent in institutional long term care settings for older people. We know that the use of restrictive measures, such as belt restraints, do have many negative consequences for residents, and even can be harmful to their health. However, this knowledge does not result in a reduction of physical restraints. This paper describes the search for an intervention (EXBELT) aiming to safely reduce and prevent the use of belt restraints in nursing homes. EXBELT consists of a promotion of institutional policy change that discourages use of belt restraints, nursing home staff education, availability of alternative interventions, and consultation by a nurse specialist. Effect evaluations show that EXBELT is effective on the short and long term. According to a process evaluation, EXBELT was largely performed according to protocol and very well received by nursing home staff and resident's relatives. However, concurrently it is stated that the reduction of physical restraints in Dutch nursing home care runs slowly. The conclusion is that continuing focus is needed to reduce physical restraints in nursing homes and to prevent its use in home care.