Fallacies about Physical Restraints

Abstract

The use of restraints in the health care environment has recently become a much discussed and controversial issue, especially with two opposing currents. "Restraint culture" and "non-restraint culture" are used to explain whether restraints are used or not. It"™s more an issue of attitude than a scientific-technical question. But in between they emerge other positions or movements, some can be framed in the "yes, but" and others in the "no, unless", which maintain a high tolerance despite the absence of medical indications. The norms of social services of autonomous communities establishes that physicians must authorize or prescribe the restraints to be used, which has led to some to think that restraints are a medical issue, something that not happens in the field of NHS, where doctors do not prescribe or authorize. Restraints do not prevent, nor cure, or help a diagnosis, they are not therapeutic, cause disability, and may cause severe complications, which requires a deeper reflection on the use that is being done.