Evidence-Based Guideline: Changing the Practice of Physical Restraint Use in Acute Care

<h4>EXCERPT</h4> <p>The use of physical restraints in health care institutions has been an acceptable and frequent aspect of care (Minnick, Mion, Leipzig, Lamb, &amp; Palmer, 1998; Whitman, Davidson, Rudy, &amp; Sereika, 2001). However, a growing body of knowledge calls to question the use of restraints because there is little evidence to support the assumption that restraints prevent injuries (Maccioli et al., 2003; Woo, Hui, Chan, Chi, &amp; Sham, 2004). Evidence has shown the adverse effects of restraint use and its ineffectiveness in preventing falls and injuries (Capezuti, 2004; Capezuti, Maislin, Strumpf, &amp; Evans, 2002). The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) (JCAHO, 2000) has challenged the routine use of physical restraints and supported reduction in the use of restraints in hospitals.</p>