What are the most common restraint techniques taught by expert practitioners?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Clinical Practice
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Physical restraint is utilized in various UK healthcare settings, including mental health and learning disability services.
• Current training lacks a standardized national skill set, leading to variations in techniques and their application.
• The principle of restraint dictates it should be a last resort, using minimal force for the shortest duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize the physical restraint techniques commonly taught in the UK.
• To assess the perceived suitability of these techniques across different patient populations.
• To explore the necessity of an evaluative framework for restraint training.

Main Methods:

• A national online survey was conducted with representatives from public and private restraint training services.
• Participants provided insights on 20 randomly selected physical restraint techniques and their associated risks.
• Ethical approval was secured, and the survey was disseminated through professional networks like the Restraint Reduction Network.

Main Results:

• 172 practitioners completed the survey, revealing significant variation in taught techniques.
• The most frequently taught techniques included Guiding Posture (71%) and Guiding Hold (44%).
• Specific techniques like the Finger, Thumb & Wrist Hold were deemed suitable for adults but not for other age groups, while Wrap-Type Holds were considered unsuitable for all.

Conclusions:

• There is substantial inconsistency in the physical restraint techniques taught across different healthcare settings.
• The findings underscore the need for a standardized approach to evaluating restraint techniques.
• Developing an evaluation framework can assist commissioners, providers, and practitioners in selecting and implementing safer, person-centered restraint practices.