Nurses' experiences of control and restraint in an acute mental health setting.

Abstract

The overall purpose of this study was to explore nurses' experiences of control and restraint in an acute mental health setting. The study objectives were to develop a clear picture of how many nurses had undertaken training on control and restraint through the course of their nursing career; to establish the understanding that nurses have about control and restraint; to establish opinions about when and how to use control and restraint techniques and if nurses have knowledge of alternatives other than control and restraint. As no previous available research was carried out locally regarding this topic, the literature review was almost entirely based on international studies and papers. These objectives were explored through the use of a purposive sample in a correlational research design, where 56 nurses working in acute psychiatric wards participated in the study by completing a structured self-administered 31- itemed questionnaire, constructed and piloted specifically for this study. Questionnaires were distributed through a third party to ensure anonymity and to achieve a non-biased result. The response rate was 93.3% and as the study utilised mixed methods, data analysis was carried out and presented in both numerical and thematic analysis. The results of the study revealed the main concerns of the participants were a lack of knowledge and training regarding control and restraint and other alternative techniques. It also highlighted a lack of debriefing for both patients and staff following a control and restraint episode. The study results highlighted inappropriate use and frequency of control and restraint amongst patients on acute psychiatric wards. Based on the findings, the study offered recommendations that included the need for further local and more extensive research into the issue; implementation of clinical guidelines on the reasons for and use of control and restraint, and the provision of appropriate training for all health care workers involved in its use.