Use of physical and chemical restraints in medical teaching units

Table 1: Characteristics and outcomes of patients in medical teaching units in an acute care hospital, by restraint use Characteristic/outcome No. (and %) of patients* p value Restraints not used n = 138 Restraints used n = 18 Confusion or altered level of consciousness 19 (13.8) 12 (66.7) < 0.001† Falls   5  (3.6)   3 (16.7) < 0.05†  Sacral ulcers   2  (1.4)   2 (11.1) <  0.05†  Mean length of stay, d 14.7 d 25.8 d < 0.001‡ *Unless otherwise stated. †c2test. ‡Student's t-test.

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