Acute/critical care nurses' knowledge of physical restraints--implications for staff development

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• Physical restraints are frequently used in acute care settings.
• Despite mandates in nursing homes, restraint use remains high in hospitals.
• Staff development educators play a role in guiding appropriate restraint application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge of acute/critical care nurses regarding the proper use and application of physical restraints.
• To identify areas of knowledge deficit among nurses concerning restraint management.
• To inform the development of targeted educational interventions for healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• An 18-item knowledge questionnaire was administered to 235 acute/critical care nurses across 17 states.
• Data were collected on nurses' understanding of restraint protocols and patient care.
• Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate knowledge levels and identify common uncertainties.

Main Results:

• A majority of nurses (60.4%) answered 13 out of 18 questions correctly, indicating variable knowledge.
• A significant number of nurses (65.6%) expressed uncertainty in caring for restrained patients.
• Results suggest knowledge gaps stem primarily from a lack of information rather than incorrect information.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear need for enhanced staff development programs focusing on the appropriate use of physical restraints.
• Targeted inservice education can address knowledge deficits and improve nurses' confidence in managing restrained patients.
• Improving nurses' knowledge is crucial for ensuring patient safety and reducing inappropriate restraint utilization.