Seclusion: a last resort measure

The practice of secluding patients after violent incidents has long been a treatment used by mental health nurses. While seclusion keeps the patient from further self-inflicted pain and restores normalcy to the unit, the practice often sets up an unending cycle of negative behavior. Other methods of dealing with the violent patient are explored in this article, including early intervention by nurses, ignoring the outburst, separating the disruptive person for a shorter time, and speaking gently with the client. The conclusion reached is that nurses must keep in mind the goal: to help the patient reintegrate into the group as safely and quickly as possible.