Staffing levels and the use of physical restraints in nursing homes: a multicenter study.
There is an unclear relation between staffing levels and the use of physical restraints in nursing homes (NHs). A survey design was used in 570 older adults (median age = 86; 77.2% women), living on 23 wards within seven NHs. Restraint use was high (50% of residents, of which 80% were restrained on a daily basis). Multivariate analysis was conducted at the level of the individual wards. Neither staff intensity nor staff mix was a determinant of restraint use. Bathing dependency, transfer difficulties, risk for falls, frequent restlessness/agitation, and depression were independent predictors of restraint use. Patient characteristics have significant greater impact on physical restraint use than staffing levels. Therefore, improving knowledge and skills of NH staff to better deal with restlessness/agitation, mobility problems, and risk for falls is encouraged to decrease the use of physical restraints in NH residents.
Pieter
P
Heeren
Geert
G
Van de Water
Leen
L
De Paepe
Steven
S
Boonen
Arthur
A
Vleugels
Koen
K
Milisen
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*