Question

Think about violence within inpatient hospital settings. If the use of seclusion and restraint results in additional trauma for consumers then what are the other options available to reduce the incidence of violence in hospital settings?

Answer 1

• 1.Active, unwavering, and visible commitment of hospital leadership is key to reducing violence and restraints.Any restraint reduction program is likely to encounter resistance. Active and visible presence of hospital leadership is essential to success.
• 2.Patients are an often-overlooked resource. They too have a vested interest in hospital safety.Involving patients in staff training sessions can be one way to reduce and control violence.Patients can be trained to co-lead groups dealing with accepting responsibility for their own recovery.
• 3.The patient and staff can be debriefed after every restraint and seclusion episode. A nurse and psychologist debrief the patient, focusing on what the staff and patient could have done to avoid the incident. A recovery specialist and a medical administrator attend each debriefing.
• The focus is to include exploring early signs that if recognized and addressed could prevent a repeat incidence of violence.