title: Acute/critical care nurses' knowledge of physical restraints--implications for staff development.
abstract: The use of physical restraints in acute care facilities has become a routine practice. Although nursing home settings have been federally mandated to reduce reliance on restraints, there has been no indication of a reduction in hospital settings. Staff development educators can provide guidance in the proper use of restraints. A total of 235 acute/critical care nurses from 17 states were asked to complete an 18-item knowledge questionnaire about the proper use and application of restraints. A majority (n = 142; 60.4%) had 13 of the 18 questions correct. The results suggest variability in knowledge about restraints due most likely from lack of information rather than misinformation. One hundred fifty-four nurses (65.6%) stated they were unsure about caring for a restrained patient. The authors describe implications of the study findings for nursing staff development and offer an outline for an inservice program on restraint use.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Janelli
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kuhn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D012149:Restraint, Physical