4.1 Introduction
Mechanical restraint (MR) is used in many countries, including Spain, where non‐harmonized policies between autonomous communities exist. There is a lack of research about interventions at regional levels to reduce their use.
4.2 Aim
To analyse data on key outcomes during the implementation of a multicomponent intervention in Andalusia (Spain) to reduce the use of MR.
4.3 Method
Episodes in a period of 30 months in all wards (N = 20) were analysed. The intervention consisted of five strategies: (a) leadership, (b) analysis of the situation, (c) awareness training for the heads of the wards, (d) unified record of MR and (e) staff training. We analysed the monthly trend of restraint hours and restraint episodes/1,000 bed days using segmented regression.
4.4 Results
There were 206.32 restraint hours and 12.96 restraint episodes/1,000 bed days during the study period. A significant decreasing trend was observed in restraint hours (−1.79%, p < .001), but not in the number of restraint episodes (−0.45%; p = .149).
4.5 Discussion
The results coincide with other international studies; however, studies with better designs are required to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
4.6 Implications for Practice
Interventions at a regional level aimed at preventing MR are feasible in the Spanish context.