Objective To understand the physical restraint of ICU patients and to analyze the existing problems. Methods The data were obtained by checking the related nursing documents of physical restraint. Basis of patients' physical restraints,restraint methods,and duration of restraint were observed. The differences between the current practice and clinical guideline were compared. Results A total of 231 nursing documents were recruited and 64（27.7%） patients used physical restraint. The total duration of restraint was 7 906 hours with an average of 123.53 hours,the accuracy rate of the medical order and the implementation was 18%,and the nurse did not use the evaluation tool before the physical restraint. Conclusion There is a great gap between the present situation of physical restraint and clinical practice guidelines in ICU patients. It is necessary to standardize the restraint methods,assess the applicable patients,improve the restraint effects,and improve the health outcome of patients.