Seclusion: Changes in policy and practice on an acute psychiatric unit

Abstract

Increasing concern expressed in the literature, together with local concerns about the practice of seclusion, prompted an audit of its use in an acute psychiatric unit in East Berkshire. episodes between July 1993 and June 1994 were studied retrospectively to provide a baseline measure of performance against the Department of Health Code of Practice guidelines (Code of Practice, 1990). As a result of these initial findings, a new seclusion policy was written and implemented after consultation with the multi-disciplinary teams involved with in-patient care. was then collected for all episodes of seclusion between April 1995 and March 1996. significant improvements were seen with regard to interventions prior to seclusion, seclusion plans, legibility of staff signatures and overall use of seclusion, which fell by 66%. It is concluded that audit and education improved clinical practice and reduced seclusion use, although other possible reasons for this are discussed. Continued audit is recommended in order to maintain standards. All seclusion The same information Statistically