There are no nationwide standards concerning PR in
China. Dangerous intent or dangerous behavior to oneself
or others and refusal of treatment are the common reasons for PR in China (Zhou, Zhang, Bian, & Xie, 2010). When
this study was conducted, the policy regarding PR in this
hospital was as follows. A person may be restrained only if
(a) an acute psychiatric illness is diagnosed, and (b) the PR
would protect the patient or others’ safety, and (c) the
patient either has refused or is unable to consent to the necessary
treatment. The treating psychiatrists or on-call psychiatrists
can authorize PR, which may last up to a
maximum of 2 hr. Trained nurses place the patient in PR
once the relevant documentation is signed by a psychiatrist.
While in PR, the patient is watched by nurses in a seclusion
room in the ward at all times. Appropriate treatment should
be promptly initiated. A psychiatrist must check on the
patient every 30–60 min. In case the symptoms improve, the
order for PR is cancelled. If necessary, a psychiatrist can sign
the documentation and authorize another PR up to a
maximum of 8 hr continuously. The relatively broad criteria
for PR could account for its higher frequency in China compared
with Western countries.