[Mechanical restraint: its use in intensive cares].

Objective: To analyze the impact of the use of mechanical restraint (MR) or physical restraints in a Critical Care unit and to evaluate the procedure.
Basic Procedures: A descriptive, prospective study.
Inclusion Criteria: patients who required MR from March to June 2010.
Variables: demographic, clinical presentation, indications, techniques and devices. A statistical analysis with mean, standard deviation and percentages using the program SPSS 14.0.
Results: A total of 85 cases were studied: 65.9% male, mean age 64.19 (±17.9), NEMS 29.3 (±8.2). Incidence of MR: 15.6%. Main indication for MR: Risk of serious disruption of treatment processes (80%). Decision nurse (94.1%). Urgent action: (85.9%). Registration procedure: 57.6%. Information to the family: 9.4%. Previous actions: verbal containment (100%), pharmacological (48.2%).
Conclusions: There is a relevant incidence of MR. The principal reason is that of avoiding interruption of the therapeutic process. The nurse makes the initial decision. Necessary information/training of professionals for legal and ethical repercussions is needed.
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