Development of Nursing Practice to Minimize Physical Restraints in General Wards Using the Delphi Method From the Perspective of Necessity and Feasibility

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify nursing practices for minimizing physical restraints in general wards, as recognized by Certified Nurse Specialists in Gerontological Nursing, Certified Nurse Specialists in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, and Certified Nurses in Dementia Nursing, from the perspectives of necessity and feasibility, and to examine the consistency of the identified practices with previous studies, as well as to seek consensus on items for which agreement was not initially obtained.

Method: A self-administered questionnaire survey distributed by mail using the Delphi technique was conducted four times. The participants were a total of 37 geriatric nurses, psychiatric nurses, and certified dementia nurses with practical experience in minimizing physical restraints in general wards.

Results: With regard to nursing practices for minimizing physical restraints in general wards, agreement was reached on 74 items regarding necessity and 57 items regarding feasibility. All items that were agreed upon in terms of feasibility were also agreed upon in terms of necessity.

Conclusion: The agreed upon items were appropriate for nursing practices for minimizing physical restraints in general wards in terms of both necessity and feasibility. Items that were agreed upon in terms of necessity, but not in terms of feasibility, were thought to become feasible by means such as providing appropriate education.