Use of Physical Restraints in South Australia's Nursing Homes

A postal survey seeking information about the use of physical restraints was completed by 93 out of 130 Directors of Nursing (DONs) of nursing homes in South Australia. Of a total of 3419 nursing home residents, 28.4% (970) were physically restrained, of which 74.2% (720) were female and 25.8% (250) were male. The commonest forms of physical restraint were bedrails (34.4%) and vests (23.7%), The commonest patient‐oriented reason for using physical restraints was to “prevent falls” (84.9%) and the commonest nurse‐oriented reason was “because no alternative exists” (39.8%), The use of physical restraints did not appear to be influenced by nursing home size or staff numbers. The extent to which physical restraints are used is cause for concern. Further efforts, particularly through education programs which fully apprise all staff of the deleterious effects of physical restraints, and which also provide alternatives, are needed.