In hospitals, physical restraints are used more frequently with older adults. No benefits of physical restraint are known, while negative outcomes are well documented. Existing research suggests that nurses, physicians, and families consider lower registered nurse (RN) staffing a critical factor in restraint use. Nevertheless, no studies have examined the relationship between RN staffing and restraint use. The purpose of the proposed study is to examine the impact of work redesign and staffing characteristics (RN-patient ratio, staff skill mix) on physical restraint use in hospitalized nursing home residents, controlling for the APN intervention and patient characteristics (fall risk, behavioral phenomena, treatment interference, cognitive function, severity of illness). It is hypothesized that the absence of work redesign and a higher RN-patient ratio and a higher percentage of RN staff will predict lower physical restraint use. The findings of this secondary analysis will provide information on the relationship between staffing patterns and use of physical restraints, will contribute relevant empirical data related to policy and on the organization and delivery of nursing care in hospitals, and support emerging standards of care related to physical restraint use.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31NR007532-01
Application #
6134788
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Program Officer
Bryan, Yvonne E
Project Start
2000-05-01
Project End
Budget Start
2000-05-01
Budget End
2001-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$24,149
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Bourbonniere, Meg; Strumpf, Neville E; Evans, Lois K et al. (2003) Organizational characteristics and restraint use for hospitalized nursing home residents. J Am Geriatr Soc 51:1079-84
Bourbonniere, Meg; Evans, Lois K (2002) Advanced practice nursing in the care of frail older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:2062-76