Physical Restraint in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Cross-Sectional, Observational Study in China.

Background: Research data on the extent of and protocols related to physical restraint (PR) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are scarce. Most previous studies in China on this topic have focused on the prevalence, reasons, and background of PR use among adult patients.

Purpose: This study was designed to delineate the application of PR and the factors associated with PR use in PICUs in China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in one PICU at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 2020 to December 2020. A total of 1,086 pediatric patients in the PICU were included in this study. Data collection was performed over 11 months, utilizing PR observation forms and patient records. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to obtain the data, and logistic regression models were used to analyze the independent risk factors for PR.

Results: Of the 1,086 participants, 750 (69.1%) experienced being restrained, and 83.5% of the restrained participants who were pediatric patients were restrained for more than 50% of their time during their PICU stay. The results of logistic regression analysis identified age (1-6 years: OR = 2.090, 95% CI [1.508, 2.897], p < .001; 7-17 years: OR = 0.523, 95% CI [0.358, 0.765], p = .001), use of mechanical ventilation (OR = 2.126, 95% CI [1.480, 3.055], p < .001), use of drainage tubes (OR = 1.916, 95% CI [1.445, 2.541], p < .001), and sedation (OR = 1.494, 95% CI [1.101, 2.026], p = .010) as significantly correlated with the use of PR in the PICU. For the 750 patients who experienced being restrained, PR initiation was documented with a written medical order, and in 604 cases (80.5%), the restraints were removed without similar documentation.

Conclusions: The use of PR is common in PICUs in China, with more than half of pediatric patients being restrained during their stay. Age, mechanical ventilation, use of drainage tubes, and use of sedative drugs were identified as significantly associated with PR use. Developing standardized procedures/guidelines for PR use in Chinese PICUs and enhancing medical staff education on PR practices are imperative.