"Between Care and Control: Ethical, Legal, and Nursing Dimensions of Restraint and Seclusion in Contemporary Healthcare"

Abstract: Restraint and seclusion remain highly controversial practices in healthcare settings, particularly within mental health, emergency, geriatric, and intensive care units. Although sometimes implemented to prevent harm to patients or others, these interventions raise significant ethical, legal, and professional concerns. Nurses, who are often the primary decision-makers and implementers of restraint and seclusion, face complex challenges in balancing patient safety with respect for autonomy, dignity, and human rights. This review article critically examines the ethical principles, legal frameworks, clinical indications, and nursing responsibilities associated with restraint and seclusion. Emphasis is placed on patient-centered care, ethical decision-making, trauma-informed practice, and evidence-based alternatives. By synthesizing contemporary literature, this article aims to guide nurses toward minimizing the use of restraint and seclusion while promoting safe, ethical, and compassionate care.