Design, Develop, and Validate Limb Restrainer Device on Physical and Physiological Parameters among Patients Admitted in Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Introduction: Physical restraint is a common way of restricting the movement of the patients in majority of the hospitals in India. However, it is not yet proved that the use of physical restraints can reduce the complications such as extubations.

Aim: Majority of the hospitals uses restraints made with gauze and bandages as physical restraints. Hence, the researcher finds a need to design and develop a limb restrainer device which is reusable. A quantitative approach with Delphi technique was adopted to design limb restrainer device.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the various types of restrainer used in intensive care unit (ICU), to design limb restrainer device using Delphi technique, and to assess the physical and physiological parameters before and after implementation of the limb restrainer device. Materials and Methods: The opinions to develop the limb restrainer device were obtained from 12 Delphi experts in three rounds. The researcher developed the limb restrainer device and validated the device using it on patients agreement of the experts increased in round 3. Time series design was adopted to find the effect of limb restrainer admitted in ICUs.

Results: The results revealed that majority (75%) of the hospital does not have an effective physical restraint.

Conclusions: The limb restrainer device developed by the researcher does not have any effect on physical and physiological parameters of the patients and it is safe to use among patients admitted in ICUs. It can reduce the complications associated with the use of improper restraints made within the hospital and health-care providers.