Physical restraint use within Maltese long-term care settings

Abstract

Background: The holistic study looked at the locally unexplored environment, providing a platform of knowledge base and information on physical restraint use. The project secured relevant information focal to the older person residents, health care providers and policy makers within long-term care settings.

Method: A questionnaire, ‘Physical Restraint Use’ (PRU), employing mixed methodologies was developed, focusing on, (a) types of physical restraint devices used locally, (b) mode and extent of application, (c) older person characteristics that potentially push towards restraint use, (d) reactions to restraint use, (e) health care providers’ perceptions to restraint use within the work context, environmental and safety concerns, (f) effects of restraint use affecting older persons’ rights. Health care providers, within long-term care settings in Malta (n=13), and hands-on with the older persons, participated. Questionnaires were distributed to 434 health care providers, 180 booklets returned within a 3-month time line, making for a 41.5% response rate.