Current care of patients in physical confinement in psychiatry wards of hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Increasing number of psychiatric patients as the result of present industrialized life enhances their hospitalization rate. Since patients do not like hospitalization, they find this new environment as threatening and react in destructive and aggressive behavior. Cannon believes that when patients put themselves or others in danger, physical confinement is inevitable but only if it is based on standards. If not, it can threaten the patients with restlessness, bed sore, incontinence, antisocial behavior and anger severity. Physical confinement can have the lowest emotional and physical side effects, if it is conducted based on standards. In this way, it can be a good way to control patients' aggressive behaviors. This study was conducted to investigate and compare the current care with the standard care in confined patients.

Methods: This was an observational cross-section one stage study on 125 physically confined patients hospitalized in psychiatry wards of three health centers. A standard questionnaire was filled out. The collected data were analyzed by t-test.

Results: The findings showed that 68.8% of the subjects were male and 52-8% of the subjects aged between 26 to 32 years. There was a significant difference between the mean score of care administrated before physical confinement, and that during confinement or in a standard condition.

Conclusion: The increase in aggression is a warning sign for patients and the health team members. Given the difference between the standards and the methods administrated in hospitals, educating nurses as leaders for crisis condition in psychiatry wards concerning appropriate principles of physical confinement is essential.