This research is a field investigation to collect basic information about the safe and efficient use of physical restraint in hospitals and for the ultimate minimization of restraint use. The objects of this study were sixty-four patients. They were restrained physically. Add their 32 family members, 24 nurses of two university hospitals in Seoul were also involved in the study. From April 16, to May 27, 1999. Research data were collected throughout the observation and interview process. Also, the data was analyzed using frequencies and field study notes that were invented by researchers.
Results
of this study were as follows: 1. According to the sex and age distinction; male's restraint use was 75%, female's was 25% and pre-schoolage children 39.1%, middle age 26.5%, and senior citizens 20.3%. According to the disease distinction; neuro-system was 35.9%, respiratory system was 21.9%. In the Ward, 40.6% of ICU patients were restrained and 39.0% of pediatric ward children were also to restraint. 70.3% of patients were restrained under 5days, while 10.9% were restrained 10days. 2. Types of physical restraints were wrist restraint (45.21%), arm board (35.62%), leg restraint (8.22%), chest restraint (6.85%), elbow restraint (2.74%) and mitten restraint (1.37%). 3. The percentage was 3.5%, which was in 64 restrained out of 1828 hospitalized people. At 1st investigation, the ratio was 3.5%, the 2nd was 3.0% and the 3rd was 3.9%. 4. The reasons of using the physical restraint were 'to protect implements' (72.84%), 'to protect patients' (18.52%), 'to protect an operative site' (8.64%). 5. The result of the patients; family and nurses' response analysis was: 'It seems to be safe', 'It uses properly', 'It is convenient for relatives and nurses', 'It is helpful to treatment', 'Objective think it is not restraint' were 79.9%. 'It is discomfort and stuffy', 'The implement is ineffective' were 21.1%. However in interview of the patients who can do verbally communication, 6 of 7 was responded that 'It is stuffy and uncomfortable'. 6. When restraint is used, the main decision is usually made by the nurses 42.2% of the time. The statistics read as thus: nurses and the physician in charge 31.3%, nurses and family 12.5%, physician's order 7.8%, only family 6.2%. Although the record of restraint was only 15.6% so that only 10 cases out of all the 26 ICU patients restrained. This study shows that physical restraints which of infringe independent-right of patients, are used without using criterion, explaining the agreement. Also, subjective decision of physician, nurses, and family make the decision of using restraint. So development of practice manuals and rules for restraint implementation is urgent.