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Decreasing Restraint Times On An Inpatient Psychiatric Unit., Maria Siegel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Restraints are widely used on inpatient psychiatric units when psychiatric patients exhibit escalating behaviors. Physical restraints, including seclusion, increase patients’ risk for injury and psychological trauma. Acute inpatient psychiatric units should aim to use restraints only as a last resort and for as little time as possible to keep the patient and others safe. The literature suggests that ways to decrease restraint rates on inpatient psychiatric units include risk assessment for early identification and proper use of alternative measures. Nursing staff education has been proven to play an important role in decreasing overall restraint times on inpatient psychiatric units. The …