[Institutional and patient-related factors influencing the frequency of restraint in a general psychiatric acute care unit]

Abstract

Objective: Valid knowledge about risk stratification is essential for the development of preventive approaches to reduce restraints.

Methods: This retrospective, monocentric study examined all 248 restraining measures used on 79 patients of a university psychiatric department in 2015. Eight institutional and seven patient-related factors were statistically calculated using logistic regression analysis and matched pairs.

Results: A statistically significant increased probability of fixation was found in connection with a lower number of nurses per patient, a higher number of patients admitted by law, lower professional experience of nurses and in the nursing late shift as well as when admission occurred via emergency medical service.

Conclusion: Based on the results, possible preventive organizational measures are elaborated and preconditions for a prospective evaluation of the complex factors influencing coercive measures are discussed.