Background: Delirium is a common clinical syndrome, particularly among elderly patients in the inpatient hospital setting, and carries considerable associated morbidity. These patients can display symptoms of inattention, agitation, and restlessness, often necessitating the use of chemical or physical restraints to ensure the safety of the patient and staff. Unfortunately, these interventions are not without [...]

Background: The use of physical restraints (PR) in the hospitals among patients is associated with increased delirium, pressure ulcers, prolonged ventilator use, post traumatic stress disorder and disruption of therapeutic relationship with the healthcare team. The current scientific research suggests their ineffectiveness for patient safety like preventing falls or dislodging medical devices. There has been [...]

Background: Physical restraint use among patients hospitalized with dementia and behavioral disturbances has not been studied on a national level in the United States. We aimed to determine rates of physical restraint use among hospitalized patients with dementia and behavioral disturbances and to characterize associations with mortality and utilization metrics. Methods: National Inpatient Sample database [...]

Background: It is universal practice to restrain incarcerated patients – regardless of age, illness, mobility, or pretrial status – with metal shackles during hospital stays without consideration for less restrictive alternatives. Globally, human rights and legal groups have voiced opposition to this shackling, citing numerous justice, ethics, and medical concerns relating to the practice. Healthcare [...]

Background: Security emergency responses (SERs) are utilized by hospitals to ensure the safety of patients and staff but can cause unintended morbidity. The presence of racial inequities in SER utilization has not been clearly elucidated. We sought to determine whether Black and Latinx patients experience higher rates of SER and physical restraints than white patients [...]

Background: Delirium is a common clinical syndrome, particularly among elderly patients in the inpatient hospital setting, and carries considerable associated morbidity. These patients can display symptoms of inattention, agitation, and restlessness, often necessitating the use of chemical or physical restraints to ensure the safety of the patient and staff. Unfortunately, these interventions are not without [...]