Nurses’ Views on the Use of Physical Restraints in Intensive Care: A Qualitative Study

Federica Canzan, Elisabetta Mezzalira, Giorgio Solato, Luigina Mortari, Anna Brugnolli, Luisa Saiani, Martina Debiasi and Elisa Ambrosi
Additional contact information
Federica Canzan: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
Elisabetta Mezzalira: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
Giorgio Solato: Cardiac Surgery Unit, San Bortolo Hospital, Viale Ferdinando Rodolfi, 37, 36100 Vicenza, Italy
Luigina Mortari: Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria, 17, 37129 Verona, Italy
Anna Brugnolli: Centre of Higher Education for Health Sciences, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Via Briamasco 2, 38121 Trento, Italy
Luisa Saiani: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
Martina Debiasi: Centre of Higher Education for Health Sciences, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Via Briamasco 2, 38121 Trento, Italy
Elisa Ambrosi: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: Despite the worldwide promotion of a “restraint-free” model of care due to the questionable ethical and legal issues and the many adverse physical and psychosocial effects of physical restraints, their use remains relatively high, especially in the intensive care setting. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the experiences of nurses using physical restraints in the intensive care setting. Semi-structured interviews with 20 nurses working in intensive care units for at least three years, were conducted, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Then, the transcripts were analyzed according to the qualitative descriptive approach by Sandelowsky and Barroso (2002). Six main themes emerged: (1) definition of restraint, (2) who decides to restrain? (3) reasons behind the restraint use, (4) physical restraint used as the last option (5) family involvement, (6) nurses’ feelings about restraint. Physical restraint evokes different thoughts and feelings. Nurses, which are the professionals most present at the patient’s bedside, have been shown to be the main decision-makers regarding the application of physical restraints. Nurses need to balance the ethical principle of beneficence through this practice, ensuring the safety of the patient, and the principle of autonomy of the person.

Keywords: intensive care; physical restraints; nurse; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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