Hospital nurses' views about physical restraint use with older patients

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Geriatric Care
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Physical restraints are used in healthcare settings, particularly with elderly patients.
• Understanding nursing staff's knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding restraint use is crucial for improving patient safety.
• Existing educational initiatives may not adequately address the complexities of restraint use and alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge, practice, and attitudes of nursing staff concerning physical restraint use.
• To compare educational activities and knowledge levels across different hospital units (geriatric, geropsychiatric, medical).
• To identify gaps in understanding, particularly regarding the risks associated with physical restraints.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to nursing staff, including registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
• Data were collected from participants across four hospital settings.
• Knowledge scores and reported educational experiences were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Nurses in geriatric and geropsychiatric units reported more educational activities on restraint use compared to those in medical units.
• Registered nurses (RNs) achieved the highest knowledge scores at 56%.
• Despite higher scores, RNs demonstrated a lack of specific knowledge about the dangers of physical restraint use.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions about physical restraints are important but insufficient on their own.
• There is a need for enhanced training that includes practical problem-solving skills and the exploration of alternatives to physical restraints.
• Role modeling and mentorship are essential to help staff critically examine restraint practices and implement safer patient care strategies.