A restrição física da mobilidade – estudo sobre os aspetos ligados à sua utilização com fins terapêuticos

Caring for people with memory and psychomotor activity disorders, managing risk and promoting the safety of these patients involves critical thinking based on specific knowledge and understanding of these changes and planning interventions tailored to their needs. The use of physical mobility restrictions (PMR) is an action taken by health professionals. This study aimed to analyze the basis of PMR, to identify the frequency, types, anatomical location of PMR sites, and criteria used by nurses for the use of PMR. The study was developed in a central university hospital in Portugal, and carried out in the quantitative paradigm, using the techniques of observation and interview. The sample consisted of 110 patients having PMR in medical and surgical acute care units. Regarding the reasons for use of PMR, it was concluded that 36,5% were related to “Fall risk”. Bed rails were identified in 58,5% of cases as the most widely used type of PMR, which suggests a security intention on the part of nurses. Only 20% of the patients had alternative measures applied, and these were not effective, suggesting the need to give priority attention to the use of RFM in the future.