[Use of compulsory measures in psychiatry after introduction of the new psychiatric law].

Investigation of compulsory treatment and mechanical restraint in the Psychiatric Hospital in Arhus reveals that no great changes in the employment of compulsory measures in psychiatry during the period around introduction of the new Danish legislation on October 1 1989 have occurred. The total duration of mechanical restraint constituted 0.3% of the entire duration of psychiatric hospitalisation in acute admission wards after the introduction of the legislation. The mean duration of mechanical restraint was 4.3 hours (5 minutes-5.3 days) and was similar in men and women. In 55.5% of the cases of mechanical restraint, a waist-belt alone was employed while, in the remaining cases, wrist or ankle cuffs were employed in addition. A doctor was present in 48.9% of the cases when mechanical restraint was applied. No differences were observed between the sexes in the extent of mechanical restraint but female patients were seen by a doctor prior to restraint more frequently than male patients. A tendency to employ a waist-belt alone was observed as the first form of restraint in women whereas men were frequently restrained by means of wrist or ankle cuffs also. The most frequent reason for restraint was that the patients constituted a danger to themselves and others.