Impacto de una estrategia multimodal en el uso de la sujeción mecánica en una unidad de hospitalización psiquiátrica

Introduction: mechanical restraint is a coercive measure used in mental healthcare that, in addition to being associated with adverse physical and emotional consequences, entails a violation of individuals’ rights. In recent years, the need to reduce its use has been highlighted, and the implementation of multimodal strategies has emerged as a potentially effective approach. In this context, nursing professionals play a key role in the prevention, early detection, and management of crisis situations, as well as in the development of care alternatives. Objective: to evaluate the impact of implementing a multimodal intervention strategy on the frequency and duration of mechanical restraint episodes in a psychiatric hospitalisation unit. Material and methods: a quasi-experimental longitudinal study was conducted, based on the analysis of a time series of mechanical restraint episodes recorded in a psychiatric inpatient unit over a 24-month period. Results: a total of 168 mechanical restraint episodes were recorded in 39 individuals. Over time, a downward trend was observed in both the number of episodes and their duration after following the implementation of a strategy integrating organizational, environmental, and clinical interventions. Conclusion: the implementation of a multimodal intervention strategy in a psychiatric unit is associated with a decrease in the frequency and duration of mechanical restraint episodes, something that contributes to a safer, more respectful, and more dignified care.