The relationship between nurses use of verbal de-escalation and mechanical restraint in acute inpatient mental health care: a retrospective study

Abstract

Although the use of verbal de-escalation in nursing has been shown to be an effective tool for controlling agitation and avoiding mechanical restraint, there is scarce evidence supporting the use of de-escalation by nurses and factors related to the patients who ultimately receive mechanical restraint. This retrospective study sought to examine the relationship between the use of verbal de-escalation by nurses and the clinical profile of patients who had received mechanical restraint at an acute mental health unit. This study analysed the records of patients who had received mechanical restraint between the years 2012 and 2019. A bivariate analysis was initially performed, followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 493 episodes of restraint were recorded. Of these, in almost 40% of cases, no prior use of verbal de-escalation was noted. The factors associated with the use of verbal de-escalation by nurses were patients with a history of restraint episodes and patients who previously had been administered medication. Furthermore, episodes of mechanical restraint that occurred later during the admission were also associated with the use of de-escalation. These findings confirm the relevance of early nurse interventions. Consequently, it is important to establish an adequate therapeutic relationship from the start of hospitalization to facilitate getting to know the patient and to enable the timely use of verbal de-escalation, thus avoiding the use of mechanical restraint.