Characteristics of the use of physical restraints in agitated patients in a tertiary hospital

Yareth Peralta-García, Servicio de Neurología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, México
Sara Santiago-García, Carrera de Enfermería, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Norma Sandoval-García, Servicio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, México

Introduction: Ensuring patient safety is fundamental to promoting the evolution and recovery of their health, with the inclusion of certain methods to provide safety and subsequently selecting interventions according to the nursing diagnosis. Objective: Describe the characteristics of physical restraint in agitated patients in a tertiary care hospital. Method: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in a third-level institution, that included 60 agitated patients with physical restraint who met inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the instrument ECSA (Evaluation of the Characteristics of Restraints in Adults). Results: The descriptive analysis showed that the gloves received a 51.6% approval rating, and other restrictions effectively fulfilled skin protection, demonstrating the effectiveness of the practices and resulting in a decreased risk of skin injuries in the evaluated areas. A Braden Scale score was observed in 90% of cases, highlighting high compliance with this preventive indicator. Conclusions: The study offers a comprehensive view of physical restraint practices in agitated patients, addressing aspects such as duration, methods used, skin assessment, and highlighting the need to improve clinical documentation to ensure safe and comprehensive management of restraint in these patients.

Keywords: Physical restraint. Psychomotor agitation. Safety. Protection. Nursing care.