2017 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 98-106
In Japan, there is no law to regulate the physical restraint of patients in general beds, but there is “guidance for zero physical restraint” for long-term care facilities. Because staff members prefer offering treatment without imposing any physical restraint in general beds, it is difficult to implement the “guidance for zero physical restraint.” The judgment of the Supreme Court of Japan on January 26, 2010 is the only legal judgment by the Supreme Court regarding physical restraint in general beds in Japan. The purpose of this study is to examine the viewpoint and specific contents considering physical restraint in general beds by reviewing the literature assessing “the judgment of the Supreme Court of Japan on January 26, 2010” and the physical restraint guidelines that have been created in each hospital. As a result, we obtained categories such as “making sure of imminence,” “alternative to restraint,” “restraint time,” “participation of doctors,” “status check during the restraint,” “accountability,” “written consent,” and “record.” Hospitals’ guidelines showed similar viewpoints with reference to specific nursing contents. These findings revealed that, when considering the physical restraint of patients in general beds, many complicated procedures conforming to the “guidance for zero physical restraint” need to be followed, and that nurses are expected to fulfill diverse responsibilities in this regard.
