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

The use of physical restraints in acute care facilities has become a routine practice. Although nursing home settings have been federally mandated to reduce reliance on restraints, there has been no indication of a reduction in hospital settings. Staff development educators can provide guidance in the proper use of restraints. A total of 235 acute/critical care nurses from 17 states were asked to complete an 18-item knowledge questionnaire about the proper use and application of restraints. A majority (n = 142; 60.4%) had 13 of the 18 questions correct. The results suggest variability in knowledge about restraints due most likely from lack of information rather than misinformation. One hundred fifty-four nurses (65.6%) stated they were unsure about caring for a restrained patient. The authors describe implications of the study findings for nursing staff development and offer an outline for an inservice program on restraint use.