Nurses’ dilemma regarding the use of physical restraints for elderly patients in critical care units and its related factors

Abstract

Objective: To clarify nurses’ dilemma regarding the use of physical restraints for elderly patients in critical care units (ND-PRECC), and identify its related factors.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was administered to 264 critical care nurses.

Results: An exploratory factor analysis of ND-PRECC was performed using the data of 190 valid responses. The following three factors were extracted: “Ethical dilemma due to difficulty in getting closer to patients’ feelings,” “Ethical dilemma based on experience and values,” and “Ethical dilemma due to disagreement among nurses.” On comparing item average, the first factor scored the highest, and the third factor scored the lowest. ND-PRECC was found to be related to seven items, such as ʻfree communication flow’ on the patient safety climate scale.

Conclusions: It is necessary to establish a patient safety climate to reduce ND-PRECC.