Factors influencing psychiatric nurses' use of section 5(4)

A review of the literature suggests that little is known about the factors influencing the use of nurses' holding power under Section 5(4) of the 1983 Mental Health Act. This study aimed to redress this gap. Data were collected over one year by analysing the statistical returns of all wards within one mental health unit that used Section 5(4). It was found that it was used in the management of 3.8% of admissions. All but 4% of those detained were converted to an extended section. A number of variables were explored, the results of which suggest that psychiatric nurses' decision to invoke this section of the Act is not simply a case of patients being a danger to themselves or others but rather reflects an interplay of a number of factors. An awareness of such factors may reduce the necessity to implement this emergency nursing intervention.