Factors associated with mechanical restraint in the hospital environment: a cross-sectional study

To estimate the prevalence of mechanical restraint in the hospital environment and the factors associated with its performance.

A cross-sectional, observational study with patients from a public hospital from the medical clinic, surgical clinic and intensive care unit evaluated by descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses.

One hundred eleven (111) patients participated in the study. The prevalence of mechanical restraint was 51.4%; bilateral rails on the bed were used in 100% of the restraints, and bilateral wrist restraints were also observed in 29.8%. The most common justifications were the risk of falls (100.0%) and the risk of non-scheduled removal of invasive devices (57.9%). The restrained patients differ significantly from those not restrained by the following associated factors: male gender; age; stroke diagnosis; the hospitalization unit; ambulation capacity; the use of sedative medication; and the use of invasive devices.

This study estimated a high mechanical restraint prevalence in the hospital environment and determined factors associated with the risk of a patient being restrained. A medical restraint evaluation team is recommended for an in-depth analysis of indication and therapy.