Quality Improvement Project Eliminates Physical Restraint Use in Psychiatric ED
A reduction in physical restraint use was observed after implementing an evidence-based intervention program in a psychiatric emergency department.
The use of physical restraints can cause injury, psychological harm, and even death, affecting the nurse-patient relationship and reducing patient compliance with treatment.
The need for physical restraints can essentially be eliminated with the use of evidence-based interventions.
Results of a quality improvement project presented at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association 39th annual conference (APNA 2025) in New Orleans, Louisiana, showed promising outcomes.
- The project aimed to reduce restraint use episodes and time in restraints by 15% by January 2025.
- Jacquelin Morris, DNP, RN-BC, and Kimberly Rodgers, DNP, RN-BC, from Stony Brook Medicine, presented the study results.
Author's summary: Evidence-based interventions can eliminate physical restraint use.