Reducing restraint use in a trauma center emergency room

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Restraints and seclusion can cause patient and staff harm.
• Minimizing these restrictive measures is a key goal in behavioral health.
• Agitated patients in emergency departments require effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify therapeutic methods for managing agitated emergency department patients.
• To reduce the use of restraints and seclusion.
• To implement trauma-informed care practices.

Main Methods:

• Staff training in verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Simulation practice for managing behavioral health crises.
• Focus on changing clinical practice towards less restrictive interventions.

Main Results:

• Training provided staff with tools and knowledge.
• A shift towards trauma-informed care was facilitated.
• The study aimed to minimize restraint and seclusion episodes.

Conclusions:

• Verbal de-escalation and simulation are effective strategies.
• Trauma-informed care can be successfully implemented in emergency settings.
• Reducing restraints and seclusion enhances patient and staff well-being.