The Controversy over “Chemical Restraint” in Acute Care Psychiatry

@article{Currier2003TheCO,
  title={The Controversy over “Chemical Restraint” in Acute Care Psychiatry},
  author={Glenn Currier},
  journal={Journal of Psychiatric Practice},
  year={2003},
  volume={9},
  pages={59-70}
}
  • G. Currier
  • Published 1 January 2003
  • Medicine
  • Journal of Psychiatric Practice
In many healthcare settings, medications are considered a less invasive alternative to the use of physical restraint for agitated patients experiencing a behavioral crisis, a practice that is often referred to as “chemical restraint.” However, recent federal regulations appear to equate chemical and physical restraint and to characterize both as extraordinary practices that should not be undertaken lightly. Although many clinicians consider the term “chemical restraint” pejorative, since it… 
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48 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
2
Background Citations
21

48 Citations

Chemical restraint in routine clinical practice: a report from a general hospital psychiatric ward in Greece
TLDR
Clinicians prefer the combined antipsychotic/benzodiazepine regimen for the management of patients' acute agitation and violent behaviour and should be regularly performed in clinical settings.
Physical and chemical restraints in acute care: their potential impact on the rehabilitation of older people.
TLDR
The results indicated that nursing actions often did not meet best-practice standards in the care of older, agitated patients and the argument that their effects are likely to be detrimental to rehabilitation outcomes is presented.
Evidence base for practice: reduction of restraint and seclusion use during child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment.
  • K. Delaney
  • Psychology
    Worldviews on evidence-based nursing
  • 2006
TLDR
It is suggested that sites pool data on restraint use and reduction efforts to create a database for benchmarking and studying variations among hospitals, and attention should also be given to developing additional means for addressing aggressive behaviors.
The Use of Seclusion and Mechanical Restraint in Psychiatry - A Persistent Challenge over Time
TLDR
It is indicated that almost no changes toward the reduced use of seclusion and mechanical restraint have taken place over the years, which confirms previous suggestions that deep-rooted treatment traditions and attitudes at least as much as safety requirements or patients` rights determine the use of coercive measures.
International research into 22 years of use of chemical restraint: An evidence overview.
TLDR
A key lesson learnt whilst compiling this database of research into CR was to ensure that all papers described non-consenting administration of medications to manage adults with uncontrolled aggression, anxiety, or violence.
Putting Restraint on Chemical Restraint: Exploring the Complexity of Acute Inpatient Mental Health Nurses' Experience of Chemical Restraint Interventions
TLDR
Understanding of direct care nurses’ first-hand experiences of the use of chemical restraint interventions was sought and integral ways that nurses make meaning from administering chemical restraint were found, as well as some of the complex clinical and ethical decision-making aspects involved in psychiatric nursing care.
The uses of coercive measures in forensic psychiatry: a literature review
TLDR
Examining the practices of coercive measures within forensic psychiatry is timely, particularly in light of international legislations to reduce and even eliminate the uses of such interventions.
Exploring the complexity of acute inpatient mental health nurses experience of chemical restraint interventions: Implications on policy, practice and education.
[Drug management of agitation in emergency departments: theoretical recommendations and studies of practices].
The use of coercive measures in forensic psychiatric care: legal, ethical and practical challenges
TLDR
Examination of the prevalence of coercive measures and factors associated with their use specifically within forensic psychiatry suggests that patients who are younger or newly admitted tend to be secluded most often and staff perceptions appear to be determined by their role in governing or practicing coercive interventions.
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