Reducing restraint use for older adults in acute care

Abstract

Although no evidence shows that restraints are effective for maintaining safety, preventing disruption of treatment, or controlling behavior, they're still commonly used in acute care facilities (especially in critical care) in the United States, where the reported prevalence of their use ranges from 7.4% to 17%.[1–3] They may be used to protect patients from falls or to prevent them from inadvertently removing tubes and other devices.[4] Older adults are three times more likely to be restrained during an acute hospital admission than younger patients, even though this practice is associated with poor outcomes.[1] (See Adverse effects of physical restraints.)