Development and Application of Glove Type Restraints for Elderly Patients in Nursing Care Facilities: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare newly designed glove type restraints with traditional restraints and to evaluate the applicability for nurses to use the restraints. Methods: This study was designed as a one group pretest-posttest study. For this study nurses used both types of restraints with 19 elderly patients to prevent self-extubation. The researcher measured physical indicators, including skin edema, skin temperature, skin moisture and self-extubation, in the elderly patients and evaluated applicability of restraint for nurses. Results: There were no significant differences in pretest-posttest for the physical indicators in elderly patients except for circumference of the mid hand (z=2.60, p=.018). There were significant differences between pretest and posttest in evaluating applicability of restraints by nurses. 'overly restrictive (z=-2.81, p=.005)' and 'maintaining (z=-2.75, p=.006)' were higher in traditional restraints than in the new ones and 'applicability for skin damaged patients (z=-2.54, p=.011)' was higher for new restraints than traditional ones. Conclusion: The results show that the newly developed restraints do not increase the risk of skin damage in elderly patients. Also nurses need to consider alternative ways for minimizing physical restraint application for patients and continue to develop strategies for a safe environment.