Analysis of administrative data
showed significant reductions in the
use of restraint after the introduction
of the restraint reduction program.
Restraint rates declined by 97 to 99
percent and remained low throughout
the remainder of the year after
training occurred. Moreover, staff
members and patients found the procedures
easy to use and expressed
high satisfaction with the results.
Our evaluation had several limitations.
Because this was not a controlled
study, we could not definitively
tie the reduction in restraint
rates to the training intervention.
Reductions may be due to selection
bias, regression to the mean,
changes in staff members’ attitudes,
specific unit environments, or other
organizational or programmatic factors.
In addition, we could not verify
that crisis management or nonviolent
crisis intervention procedures
were used correctly and consistently,
although all new staff members were
trained immediately after their hiring
and retraining occurred annually