Mechanical restraints on the medical wards: Are protective devices safe?

R.P. Lofgren, D.S. MacPherson, R. Granieri, S. Myllenbeck and J.M. Sprafka

American Journal of Public Health, 1989, vol. 79, issue 6, 735-738

Abstract: We prospectively identified 102 mechanically restrained hospital patients and determined their hospital course. The cohort was elderly, cognitively impaired with multiple chronic diseases. The in-hospital mortality was 21 percent. Nosocomial infection developed in 12 percent and new pressure sores in 22 percent. Prolonged use of restraints (>4 days) was the strongest independent predictor of nosocomial infection (relative risk 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2, 2.8) and new pressure sores (RR 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.8) as determined by multiple logistic regression analysis. Patients placed in mechanical restraints for longer than four days experience frequent morbid events and should be monitored carefully.

Date: 1989
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1989:79:6:735-738_4

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