Reducing patient restraints: a pilot approach using clinical case review.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to reduce the incidents of restraints by applying a nontraditional consultation process in which a university-based team focused on patient consultations to collect data on treatment interventions and milieu approaches and conditions, as well as staff interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
The efforts resulted in restraint reduction from 36 episodes per month to 0 episodes per month as well as precipitating a change in unit climate and care approaches on a specialized unit for patients with developmental disabilities and mental illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Reducing the use of restraints involving multiple restraint incident patients is possible with a team-based approach and a specific intervention plan.
Sclafani
Michael J
MJ
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA. tsclafani@patmedia.net
Humphrey
Frederick J
FJ
Repko
Sharon
S
Ko
Haeng S
HS
Wallen
Mark C
MC
Digiacomo
Albert
A
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012149:Restraint, Physical