Restraining the Elderly
Project Management
The Project Management path for this research proposal will follow the path of quantitative research in a 'quasi-experimental' environment. Adhering as closely as possible to quantitative experiments designed to establish the causal factors or interdependent links between grouped variables, the researcher will follow a natural course of progression in administering dependent and independent variables, designing the sampling set, determining the optimal time(s) and location(s) for conducting the research, developing the measures and instruments necessary for evaluation of non-empirical evidentiary conclusion (i.e., the thought processes and reasoning of medical staff), measuring the response to education and procedural methodology, documentation to include evaluation materials, response forms, and restraint logs, preparing the education program, delivering the lectures, and evaluating the results in change or lack of change in care providers attitudes toward patient restraint.
Project Limitations
Any project that measures the process of learning, comprehension, acceptance or denial, and implementation has inherent limitations. Human variables such as attendance at scheduled lectures, attention to content, understanding or the demonstration of non-understanding in the classroom, full participation, attendee focus, pre-determined opinions, biases, tradition, and workplace procedures can affect the outcome of the results. Direct research, test, and application is not easily done with this process as the patient is ultimately the one to approve or disapprove the process of restraint; measuring full capability to provide this consent is a decided limitation which could violate the human ethic of individual patients. Lastly, the project may be limited if the medical professionals in the study choose to refrain from modifying their behavior over a long period of time; demonstrable change and internalized change are different issues requiring an entirely different study.
Data Analysis
Sampling
Many extraneous...
Educational levels, tenure with a facility, status or rank within the organization, and other factors must all be considered. To avoid a biased selection criteria, sampling will be done on a random basis. Smaller sampling sizes will provide efficiency in collecting and evaluating data.
Measures and Instrumentation
Two separate questionnaires (PRUQ and RALT) will be used to measure the random RN sampling for their unique understandings on the reasons for using restraints, the staff perceptions on the reasons to use alternatives to restraint, and the staff's knowledge of the use and methods for use of alternatives to restraints. A restraint log will be implemented to measure the prevalence of restraint usage throughout the hospital.
The Restraint Education Program
Developed by Strumpf and Collages, the education program offered during this study is to be adapted from their educational product. For the convenience and requirements of staffing needs, the education program will be offered in one and two hour sessions.
Baseline Data Collection (Phase One)
Baseline data will be collected from the hospital one month prior to the onset of the restraint education program. Each nurse randomly selected to participate will be asked to fill out a perception of restraint use questionnaire (PRUQ) and a reasons for using alternatives questionnaire (RALT). Each nurse will be instructed to maintain a restraint log at this time.
Educational Program (Phase Two)
Ten restraint education sessions will be provided over a course of ten weeks time. Each session will last no longer than an hour to accommodate patient and staffing needs. Interim measurements will be taken throughout this class time, such as evaluation forms, pre and post assessments, and so on.
Evaluation Data Collection (Phase Three)
Each participant will…
