Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Restraints in Inpatient Wards at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation NHS Trust 2020- 2023

AIMS: This QI was designed in collaboration with Trust's PMVA team to reduce the prevalence of physical restraints across inpatient wards by utilising model of improvement and measuring changes by studying number of restraints every six monthly. Secondary outcome considered were improvisation of recording of restraints, appropriate use of de-escalation measures and improvement in care planning surrounding the use of restraints. METHODS: : 1. To improve education and training of inpatient staff in management of crisis behaviour through de-escalation strategies via PMVA training and sharing good practise/ gaps via MDT processes. 2. To perform root cause analysis via quantitative and qualitative research to understand the clinical and demographic factors that influence restrictive practice. RESULTS: There has been downward trend or reduction of restraints by 10 to 30% in eleven wards across the trust from 2020 to 2022 and there has been reduction of violent incidents that resulted in restraints by 30% and self harm incidents that resulted in restraints has reduced in average by 10 to 30%. In parallel there has been 30% improvement in the use of de-escalation measures, PRN medications and use of safety pods. Re-audit was conducted during April to June 2022 concluded improvement in compliance of post incident debriefing and reflection, and involvement of patients for post incident reflection has increased by 60 % . The use of care -planning, and de-escalation strategies has improved by 10 to 15%. CONCLUSION: The project has shown that improvement of training standards, holding monthly restrictive practise hub meetings sharing knowledge and reflection of ongoing practise relating to restraints in inpatient wards and monitoring of practise via continuous staff feedback has reduced the prevalence of restraints by 10 to 30% and improvement in secondary outcome measures as outlined.