Authors (including presenting author) :
Tang AST, Au WS, Li A, Chuk MN, Dr. Chan YKJ, Leung ML, Lam YFD, Lo BY, Dr. KK Chan
Affiliation :
Department of Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Due to COVID-19, relatives are not allowed to visit patients during hospitalization. When physical restraints are necessary to safeguard patients’ safety, relatives can only imagine or search the Internet on what physical restraints look like. Inaccurate information may lead to misunderstanding, distorted perception of physical restraint application and even complaints from relatives. An e-format information package is designed to ensure relatives having correct perception on physical restraints, which includes sample photos of restraint application, fact sheets about restraint indications and subsequent nursing care to ensure patient safety. To evaluate the efficacy of the e-information package on improving communication between nurses and relatives, a qualitative study was performed and another satisfaction survey was conducted for nursing staff.
Objectives :
To evaluate the efficacy of the e-information package on physical restraint application in improving communication between nurses and relatives.
Methodology :
The study was conducted in a male acute medical ward of PYNEH from 8 July 2021 to 12 September 2021. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) Patients with age ≥18, 2) Requiring physical restraint application, 3) Relatives were not in ward. The target sample size was 20. Patients were assigned to either intervention or control group according to the recruitment forms when they required restraint applications in interval order. For control group (CG), only phone call to relative was made for notification of physical restraint application. For intervention group (IG), phone call was made with cue card for staff reference with standardized instructions for the notification, followed by the e-information package delivery to relatives via WhatsApp. Open-ended design of phone interviews with guided questions for all participants’ relatives were performed afterwards. Satisfaction survey for staff was distributed.
Result & Outcome :
To improve communication between nurses and relatives on physical restraint, with minimal extra staff effort. A total of 31 patients were recruited (16 in IG, 15 in CG), with 4 relatives refused phone interview (3 in IG, 1 in CG). In IG, 10 of the interviewees expressed more understanding on physical restraint application after reading the e-information. In CG, 7 of them revealed that only phone call could not provide sufficient information on physical restraint. One of them imagined that patient would be strapped on bed and immobilized after restraint. Another relative immediately searched for restraint information on internet once he received the phone call. 10 satisfaction surveys for nursing staff were collected. 9 agreed that the e-information package helped them in efficient notification of physical restraint applications with establishment of rapport with relatives. 7 agreed that time spent on e-information delivery was short.
