Use of seclusion in a psychiatric intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use in a psychiatric intensive care unit of a newly introduced seclusion room for the management of acutely disturbed and/or violent patients.


METHODS
A specially designed seclusion chart was used to document fully events immediately before, during, and immediately after seclusion. Data from the charts over a 6-month period provided the basis for the study.


RESULTS
The seclusion rate of about 2% of all admissions is less than that reported in the UK and the USA, suggesting that the facility is not used exclusively. Nursing staff welcomed seclusion as a means of reducing levels of dangerousness in the unit, but emphasized that it should be monitored carefully in order to prevent inappropriate use.
Baxter
E
E
Acute Services, Glenside Hospital, Eastwood, South Australia.
Hale
C
C
Hafner
R J
RJ
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010356:Patient Isolation; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013021:South Australia