Background
Healthcare providers often struggle to make appropriate decisions regarding the use of physical restraint (PR) without a standard and objective assessment tool. The prevalence rate of PR remains higher, reported as 10.19%, regardless of the hospital group in Hong Kong Hospital Authority. A systematic review revealed that there is a paucity of evidence-based assessment tool to guide nurses in minimizing PR in general adult ward. An effective and validated evidence-based assessment instrument with referencing to a restraint decision wheel in the critical clinical settings was developed to address this gap.
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of the evidence-based assessment instrument to minimize the use of PR, and assess the staff satisfaction in general adult ward settings in Hong Kong.
Methods
A single blinded cluster randomized controlled trial will be reporting using CONSORT guidelines. Eight wards from three departments will be randomly assigned to either the intervention ward, using the evidence-based assessment instrument and the existing record form, or the control ward, using the existing record form only. The Central Institutional Review Board number is CIRB-2024-517-3.
Result
The study will start from April to June 2025, with results expected in August 2025.
Conclusion
Justifying PR in general acute ward settings is crucial to minimize negative impacts. An evidence-based assessment instrument is expected to help healthcare workers justify PR use and protect them from challenges.
