Physical restraints:ethical and legal argumentation

Ahmed R.Karajeh; Majd T.Mrayyan

doi:10.2478/FON-2025-0021

摘要：Physical restraint is one of the most controversial methods in managing aggressive behaviors and maintaining patients' safety.This manuscript purposed to convince stockholders and policymakers of the negative impact of physical restraint on patients' psychological and physical health.The current authors review the ethical and legal underpinnings of the opponents' and proponents' views.On one hand,there is a clear violation of the main principles of the code of ethics.Autonomy and justice;as the patients are tied against their will and without obtaining their consent,non-maleficent;as physical restraints are reported in many cases of physical and psychological traumas,thus many agencies prohibited the use of physical restraints as a safety method to be replaced with other de-escalating techniques.On the other hand,physical restraints are a precious method in controlling aggressive behaviors and maintaining patients' safety,which is the selective beneficence in providing patient care.Also,most of the same agencies who prohibited the use of restraints,agreed the use of physical restraint as the last resort. Summary statement What is already known about this topic? ·Currently,physical restraint is used as the first accessible method to manage patients' behaviors,without considering the negative aura that surrounds the way of treatment.The usage of physical restraint has gone beyond the purpose of maintaining patient safety and managing aggressive behaviors to be a punishment method. ·The Ethical and Legal context of using physical restraints is still vague and needs more clarification. What does this paper add? ·This manuscript illustrates the Ethical and Legal points of view of the opponents and proponents of using physical restraints. ·The current manuscript clearly justifies the authors' point of view to oppose physical restraints usage and how physical restraints violate the core principles of the code of ethics.In addition,it illustrates the legal agencies that support/oppose the usage of physical restraint and the rationale beyond that position. ·This manuscript provides alternatives to manage patients' aggressive behaviors and other ways to protect patients' safety as well as patient's dignity and code of ethics. The implications of this paper This argumentative essay provides an accessible,relevant exploration of public health policy,and its impact on nursing practice,mental health services,and patient health.Moreover,it provides a forum for mental health services to evaluate the current implications of physical restraints.The manuscript creates a paradigm for future studies and projects on physical restraints usage.