RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the use of mechanical restraint (MR) or physical restraints in a Critical Care unit and to evaluate the procedure. BASIC PROCEDURES: A descriptive, prospective study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: patients who required MR from March to June 2010. VARIABLES: demographic, clinical presentation, indications, techniques and devices. A statistical analysis with mean, standard deviation and percentages using the program SPSS 14.0. RESULTS: A total of 85 cases were studied: 65.9% male, mean age 64.19 (±17.9), NEMS 29.3 (±8.2). Incidence of MR: 15.6%. Main indication for MR: Risk of serious disruption of treatment processes (80%). Decision nurse (94.1%). Urgent action: (85.9%). Registration procedure: 57.6%. Information to the family: 9.4%. Previous actions: verbal containment (100%), pharmacological (48.2%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a relevant incidence of MR. The principal reason is that of avoiding interruption of the therapeutic process. The nurse makes the initial decision. Necessary information/training of professionals for legal and ethical repercussions is needed.
