Reduction of episodes of seclusion and restraint in a psychiatric emergency service

The authors developed a comprehensive plan focusing on the early identification and management of problematic behaviors in an effort to reduce seclusion and restraint in a psychiatric emergency service and to increase adherence to hospital standards for its use. Hospital data for nine months before and nine months after the implementation of the plan were retrospectively reviewed. Two key factors that were believed to increase the likelihood of episodes of seclusion and restraint were ineffectual management of problematic behavior and inadequate monitoring. The plan, when instituted, was associated with a 39 percent reduction of instances of seclusion and restraint. Compliance with hospital standards increased to 100 percent.