Physical Restraints in the Practice of Medicine

Abstract

Despite their extensive use, there is virtually no evidence to support the efficacy of restraints. The risks of using mechanical restraints are numerous and well documented. The detrimental psychologic impact of restraints needs to be emphasized. Restraints are inappropriately used if employed because of fear of liability should a patient fall. The proper approach to the patient at risk of falling is to address the contributing factors that place the patient at risk and, where possible, correct them. Restraints are overused in medicine. Guidelines are given to help improve the employment of this potentially harmful practice.

Differences in Period Prevalence of the Use of Physical Restraints in Elderly Inpatients of European Hospitals and Nursing Homes

“…Many adverse effects of PR use have been reported (3)(4)(5)(6). Proposed but debatable reasons for the use of physical restraints include protection of confused elderly in the case of severe psychomotor agitation, delirium, increased risk of falling, or to enable treatment (7)(8)(9)(10). Wrist, waist, and chairfixation methods are used.…”

Physical restraint within the prehospital Emergency Medical Care Environment: A scoping review

“…There were 23 articles published more than 10 years ago [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , three in the last 10 years [35] , [36] , [37] , and our articles in the last five years [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] .…”

Restrictive Behaviour Management Procedures with People with Intellectual Disabilities who Require Dental Treatment

“…Guidelines for the use of restraint in healthcare settings have been formulated by four sources (Fenton & Fenton 1987; Health Care Financing Administration 1989;Marks 1992; Bosek 1993; British Society for Disability and Oral Health 2004). These guidelines share four common features.…”