Purpose: To examine how potential mechanical restraint preventive factors in hospitals are associated with the frequency of mechanical restraint episodes.
Design and methods: This study employed a retrospective association design, and linear regression was used to assess the associations.
Findings: Three mechanical restraint preventive factors were significantly associated with low rates of mechanical restraint use: mandatory review (exp[B] = .36, p < .01), patient involvement (exp[B] = .42, p < .01), and no crowding (exp[B] = .54, p < .01).
Practice implications: None of the three mechanical restraint preventive factors presented any adverse effects; therefore, units should seriously consider implementing these measures.
Keywords: Coercion; mental health; nursing; physical restraint; psychiatry.
© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.