From uncertainty to confidence: Standardizing team approach to physical restraint (TAPR) for safer emergency care. A...

Managing violent and disruptive patients in emergency care remains a critical challenge, placing both staff and patient at risk. A multidisciplinary team developed the Team Approach to Physical Restraint (TAPR) intervention to offer a collaborative, role-based framework for safely managing these situations through interdisciplinary coordination.

This study aimed to evaluate TAPR's effectiveness in promoting safety and team-based preparedness in the emergency department.

A pre- and post-intervention survey design was used to assess the impact of TAPR among emergency department clinicians across multiple roles. The survey included 8 pre-interventions and 12 post-interventions, utilizing Likert-type scales to measure outcomes related to role clarity, perceived injury prevention, confidence in protocol use, and overall effectiveness. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participant responses.

Following the intervention, 92.5 % of participants reported clarity and applicability in role assignments. Additionally, 77.5 % believed TAPR reduced the likelihood of injuries during restraints, and 90% expressed confidence in initiating the protocol. Overall, 87.5 % agreed that TAPR effectively reduced risks during violent patient encounters.

TAPR enhanced preparedness, improved interprofessional collaboration and increased staff confidence in managing violent patients. These findings suggest that TAPR may serve as standardized approach for promoting safety and consistency in emergency care environments.