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Department
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital
Position/Job Title
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Description
Learning objectives: The learner will be able to describe the patterns related to the initiation of physical restraints. The learner will be able to explain characteristics of patients who require the use of physical restraints on General Practice Units. The learner will be able to apply elements of bedside rounding to impact physical restraint use or other quality initiatives.
Background: Facilities utilize restraints to prevent falls, self harm, and to protect invasive medical devices despite known complications from restraint use. Henry Ford Macomb Hospital (HFMH) has seen an increase in physical restraint use on General Practice Units thus prompting the implementation of bedside rounding by Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) to decrease restraint use and support nursing staff.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to identify patterns of physical restraint use, patient characteristics, and evaluate the impact of bedside restraint rounding by CNSs.
Methods: Retrospective chart review. Pre/post test design February 1st, 2018 to January 31st, 2019 and February 1st, 2019 to January 31st 2020.
Inclusion Criteria: Individuals admitted to HFMH GPUs that had orders for physical restraints. The total number of charts reviewed was 637.
Data Analysis: Continuous variables were evaluated for normality using Shapiro Wilk tests, histograms, and QQ plots. If normality assumptions were met, continuous variables were compared between time points using independent two group t tests, and if normality assumptions were violated, they were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Categorical variables were compared using chi square tests or Fisher’s exact tests. Statistical significance was set at p
Results: Most restraints were initiated in the ICU. Neurology/Stroke GPU had the highest number of restraint orders overall. [see figures]
Impact on Nursing Care: CNS rounding improved the utilization of least restrictive devices and influenced a reduction of violent restraint orders demonstrating the impact of CNS rounding. Restraint rounding in the ICU can help prioritize and implement early intervention methods for patients being transferred to the GPUs. The night shift had the highest number of restraint orders. Delirium and “sun downing” that occurs on the night shift, combined with fewer experienced nurses and reduced supportive staff could be a reason for the increased restraint use. The Neurology/Stroke unit had the most frequent orders for restraints. This could be due to the closure of the nearby psychiatric ED services in Sept 2018. This prompts the need for additional education for nurses on behaviors of patients with neurological and psychiatric diagnoses. Day of the week (Thursday and Friday) and month (April and August) were collected to identify if rounding and resources need to be increased and targeted during these times.
Limitations: Nurse’s perceptions of restraints and receptiveness of rounding; Time/availability to round for sustainability; Documentation; New restraint order process in June 2018.
Areas for Future Research: CNS led rounding on other quality initiatives. Utilization of an alternative research design. Continued study after tailored and proactive rounding strategies have been implemented. Study effectiveness of rounding tool.
Implications for Practice: Understanding the patterns of restraints use and patient characteristics allows for tailored approaches to reduce restraints. CNS presence at the bedside can lead to improved outcomes. Futures efforts will be focused on reducing the length of time in restraints. Modify rounding to impact length of time in restraints? Modify rounding tool based on study findings.
Publication Date
9-23-2021
Recommended Citation
Ludwig, Kristen and Brazelton, Taylor, "Clinical Nurse Specialists' Efforts to Reduce Restraint Use on General Practice Units" (2021). 2021 Nursing Research Conference. 10.
https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/nursresconf2021/10
Comments
Presented at the Henry Ford Health System 15th Annual Nursing Research Conference: Nurses Leading the Way through Clinical Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 11:00am.