Incidence and sociodemographic factors of mechanical restraints in the emergency department: a retrospective single-centre Swiss cohort

The incidence of mechanical restraint was low (1.22 per 1000 visits). Predominantly, young, intoxicated men, presenting with risk of harm to others, were subject to mechanical restraint. Psychiatric comorbidities were more common in women, who were therefore more likely to pose a risk of self-harm. During the COVID-19 mitigation period, the incidence of mechanical restraint increased; however, the causal factors underlying this trend remain unclear.