Cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals' perceptions of bedrails as a measure of physical restraint in the hospital setting

Objective Although bedrails are considered a restraint measure under the legal regulations in Spain, no data on the related perceptions of healthcare professionals (HCPs) are available. Thus, this study aimed to calculate the proportion of HCPs in the hospital setting that consider bedrails to be a restraint measure.Methods Between June and December 2022, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted among the HCPs at our institution. Basal information was collected in the first section, and seven questions related to bedrails were included in the second. The perception of bedrails as a restraint measure was evaluated with a multiple-choice question in which devices that can be considered restraint measures were listed.Results A total of 246 HCPs participated in the survey, 201 of whom passed quality control and were analysed. The mean age was 42.2 years old, and 85% of the participants were women. The proportion of HCPs who considered bedrails as a restraint measure was 54.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.3-61.1) in the total group and 54.5% (95% CI: 44.1-65.0) in the intermediate care subgroup. These proportions were significantly lower for HCPs who worked night shifts and among those who believed that bedrails do not limit patient mobility.Results A total of 246 HCPs participated in the survey, 201 of whom passed quality control and were analysed. The mean age was 42.2 years old, and 85% of the participants were women. The proportion of HCPs who considered bedrails as a restraint measure was 54.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.3-61.1) in the total group and 54.5% (95% CI: 44.1-65.0) in the intermediate care subgroup. These proportions were significantly lower for HCPs who worked night shifts and among those who believed that bedrails do not limit patient mobility.Conclusions There is a considerable difference between what is established in legal regulations and the perceptions of HCPs in terms of bedrails being considered a restraint measure. Our results can help improve the content of training programs on the use of restraint measures by HCPs.