Restraint reduction reduces serious injuries among nursing home residents.

Objective: To describe how removing physical restraints affected injuries in nursing home settings.

Methods: A 2-year prospective study of an educational intervention for physical restraint reduction. Methods: Sixteen diverse nursing homes with 2075 beds in California, Michigan, New York, and North Carolina. Methods: Study A: 859 residents who were physically restrained at the onset of the intervention on October 1, 1991. Study B: all residents who occupied the 2075 beds in the 16 facilities 3 months before the intervention and 3 months after its completion. Methods: Educational program for nursing home staff followed by quarterly site consultations to participating nursing homes. Methods: Rate of physical restraint use and injuries.

Results: Study A: Serious injuries declined significantly among the 859 residents restrained initially when restraint orders were discontinued (X2 = 6.2, P = .013). Study B: During the intervention period, physical restraint use among the 2075 residents decreased from 41% to 4%, a 90% reduction. The decrease in the percentage of injuries of moderate to serious severity was significant (i.e., 7.5% vs 4.4%, P2-tail = .0004) as was the rate of moderate and serious injuries combined (Rate Ratio = 1.580, P2-tail = .0033).

Conclusions: A substantial decrease in restraint use occurred without an increase in serious injuries. Although minor injuries and falls increased, restraint-free care is safe when a comprehensive assessment is done and restraint alternatives are used.