Use of restraints and bedrails in a British hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of restraint and bedrail use in a British hospital.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
Six hundred sixty-eight patients in the acute medical, surgical, and geriatric beds of a large British teaching hospital on a single night.


METHODS
Observed use of restraints and bedrails. Reasons for restraint use were determined by interviews with nursing staff and examination of the case notes.


RESULTS
Fifty-six (8.4%) patients had bedrails raised. No other restraints were in use. Reported indications for bedrail use were: prevention of falls (52 patients), prevention of wandering (1), and patient request (3). In stepwise logistic regression analysis, bedrail use was associated significantly with agitated confusion, age 70 years or more, and stroke, while patients on the acute geriatric wards were significantly less likely to have bedrails raised.


CONCLUSIONS
Restraint use is relatively uncommon in Britain. Nevertheless, inappropriate use of bedrails is a reason for concern.
O'Keeffe
S
S
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Lancashire, England.
Jack
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CI
Lye
M
M
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001513:Beds; D032763:Behavior Control; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000451:nursing; D003221:Confusion / Q000451:nursing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009551:Night Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012149:Restraint, Physical