Effects of an Educational Program on Nurses' Use of Physical Restraints

Purpose: Physical restraints are used to protect patients from danger. However, applying restraints often can induce complications. Possessing appropriate knowledge of physical restraints is extremely important. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of an educational program on nurses' use of physical restraints. Methods: An interventional study design was conducted. All nurses were asked to complete a series of questionnaires before and after attending an on-site educational program or watching an instructional DVD educational program. Results: Scores for knowledge of, attitudes toward, and behaviors associated with physical restraints signifi cantly increased from the pre-test to the post-test (p ＜ 0.001), and at 2 weeks (p ＜ 0.001), 1 month (p ＜ 0.001), and 3 months (p ＜ 0.001) after attending the on-site in-service educational program or watching an instructional DVD. The effects of education program remained for 3 months; however, the correlation scores gradually decreased with time. The proportions of nurses using physical restraints and the incidence rate of unplanned extubations of endotracheal tubes showed downward trends after receiving the educational program. Conclusions: Both on-site and DVD educational program improve and maintain nurses' appropriate knowledge of, attitudes toward, and implementation of physical restraints. Periodically providing an educational program through an instructional DVD may be a costeffective strategy.