Reducing restraint and seclusion in an acute aged person's mental health unit.

OBJECTIVE

This paper describes how a significant reduction in restraint and seclusion rates was achieved in an acute aged person's mental health unit.

METHOD

We analysed seclusion and restraint data in 2009. This was supplemented with a random audit of patient files and qualitative data obtained from a survey of nursing staff. We also obtained management views on changes in management practice.

RESULTS

Four major factors were found to reduce rates of restraints and seclusion. These included: (i) leadership and support from management in nursing practices, (ii) increased multidisciplinary team input, (iii) renovations to the inpatient setting, and (iv) changes in treatment-related factors such as collection of behaviour management history and improving documentation in patient files.

CONCLUSION

Experiences such as this provide insights and practical strategies that can be applied in other aged inpatient units to reduce or eliminate rates of seclusion and restraints.