Good clinical practice for using physical restraints in Strasbourg emergency departments

Study of Good Clinical Practice Regarding the Use of Physical Restraints in the Emergency Departments of Strasbourg University Hospital

Observational University Hospital, Strasbourg, France · NCT07335575

This project will see if emergency doctors at Strasbourg University Hospital follow the 2021 SFMU guidelines when they use physical restraints on adult patients.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment450 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Strasbourg, France Academic / other
Locations1 site (Strasbourg)
Trial IDNCT07335575 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This retrospective observational review will examine adult patients who were physically restrained in the Strasbourg University Hospital emergency departments between January 1 and June 30, 2023. Investigators will compare documented care in each case to the 2021 French Society of Emergency Medicine (SFMU) guideline to determine adherence and identify factors associated with compliance or deviation. Cases are included unless the patient or their legal representative objected to reuse of their data, and no new interventions or treatments are performed. The team will analyze clinical, situational, and procedural variables linked to restraint use and report safety-related outcomes and gaps in practice.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adult patients (age ≥18) who were physically restrained during an emergency department visit at CHU Strasbourg between January 1 and June 30, 2023, and who did not object to reuse of their data are eligible for inclusion.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, those who were not restrained during the specified period, or individuals who explicitly objected to data reuse will not be included and therefore will not directly benefit from this review.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reduce unnecessary or unsafe use of restraints by improving adherence to best-practice guidelines in the emergency department.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational audits and guideline implementations in emergency and psychiatric settings have identified risk factors and, in some contexts, reduced restraint rates after guideline-driven changes, so this approach builds on existing evidence rather than being wholly novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patient (≥18 years)
* Patient who was restrained during their visit to the University Hospital's emergency department between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subject (and/or their legal representative, if applicable) must have expressed their objection to the reuse of their data for scientific research purposes.

Where this trial is running

Strasbourg

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Physical RestraintEmergency departmentsPatient safety
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.