Perceptions regarding the use of physical restraints with elderly persons: comparison of Israeli health care nurses and social workers

Abstract

In view of the difficulty involved in decision-making regarding the use or removal of physical restraints and the recent pattern encouraging the use of interdisciplinary teams for elder care issues, the present study compared the perceptions of Israeli nurses and social workers in health care settings regarding the use of physical restraints. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 50 nurses and 69 social workers working in long-term and acute care settings. The findings indicated that participants in all professions attributed moderate to low importance towards the use of physical restraints. Social workers' perceptions were similar to those of nurses in psychiatric hospitals and slightly more favourable to the use of physical restraints than those of nurses in nursing homes. Patients' safety (as reflected in the scores of the items related to protecting an older person from falling and protecting an older person from pulling out a catheter) was the most important reason for using physical restraints for both groups. Increased attention should be given to the role of social workers as team members in the process of decision-making regarding the use or removal of physical restraints, especially as mediators between the elderly person, family members and staff members.

Preventing belt restraint use in newly admitted residents in nursing homes: A quasi-experimental study

“…Several studies demonstrated that in almost all cases, physical restraints are used as safety measures (Capezuti, 2004;Hamers et al, 2004;Werner, 2002), mainly to prevent falls (more than 90%) (Capezuti, 2004;Hamers et al, 2004;Werner and Mendelsson, 2001). Other uses include the prevention of wandering, the control of restless and aggressive behaviour and maintenance of a resident's position while seated in a chair (Capezuti, 2004;Castle et al, 1997;Gallinagh et al, 2002;Hantikainen, 1998;Ryden et al, 1999).…”

Physically restraining elder residents of long‐term care facilities from a nurses' perspective

“…However, at present nurses can reach this decision independently, as determined by the new regulations of the Israeli Ministry of Health 1 . Although nurses' attitude is often mentioned as a major factor affecting the decision whether to restrain residents, few studies in Israel or elsewhere have empirically examined the decision‐making system affecting nurses' intention to restrain residents based on a wide theoretical framework 2,5 . The purpose of the current study was to identify and analyse major variables affecting past and future decisions of nursing staff to physically restrain elder residents of long‐term care facilities.…”

Nurses using physical restraints: Are the accused also the victims? – A study using focus group interviews

“…Almost two decades later, however, researchers still find nurses resistant to the notion of removing patients' restraints. Protecting patients from injuries such as falls and preventing treatment disruption are the most important reasons given for the use of physical restraints by all professional groups [2,3]. Reportedly, nurses are most often the personnel who initiate restraint use [4,5].…”