Abstract: Objective: To investigate the prevalence of physical restraint in medical-nursing care combined institutions and to analyze the influencing factors. Methods: A total of 847 elderly people from two medical-nursing care combined institutions in Chongqing were recruited by convenience sampling. Participants were investigated by using a self-designed questionnaire of Physical Restraint Use in medical-nursing combined institutions. Results: The prevalence of elderly people with physical restraints was 23.9%. 67.8% of physical restraints were signed with informed consent; 81.2% physical restraints were due to fall prevention; and 85.6% of physical restraints were not recorded. Wrist band (60.9%) and belt (63.9%) were the most frequently used restraint tools. According to the logistic regression analysis, cognitive dysfunction, low ADL scores, mobility limitations, physical agitation behaviors, risk of fall, having indwelling tubes and no regulations for physical restraints were independent risk factors for the use of physical restraints. Conclusion: The use rate of physical restraints in medical-nursing care combined institutions was at a high level, which had complex risk factors and lack of regulations. It is suggested that the assessment of ability and cognition of the elderly should be strengthened, and relevant regulations should be established to reduce the use of physical restraints, so as to improve the quality of long term care.

Key words: physical restraint; long-term care facilities; the elderly; influencing factor