Least restrictive practices in acute mental health wards including consideration of locked doors: A literature review and recommendations for future practice
Author(s)
Fletcher, Justine
Sutherland, Georgina
Brophy, Lisa
Hamilton, Bridget
Kinner, Stuart
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2014
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The aim of the project is to identify the best ways of working with consumers in acute units, so that care is least restrictive of people’s freedoms and is about recovery.
We have reviewed international research and Australian policy, to find out what the best practice is and what the impact of locking doors on the people involved is. Below is a summary of what these documents tell us.
What evidence is there regarding least restrictive practices?
Least restrictive care is an ideology which underpins the delivery of services to consumers across settings, however it is not well researched. Most research about least ...
View more >The aim of the project is to identify the best ways of working with consumers in acute units, so that care is least restrictive of people’s freedoms and is about recovery. We have reviewed international research and Australian policy, to find out what the best practice is and what the impact of locking doors on the people involved is. Below is a summary of what these documents tell us. What evidence is there regarding least restrictive practices? Least restrictive care is an ideology which underpins the delivery of services to consumers across settings, however it is not well researched. Most research about least restrictive strategies has a focus on strategies for an individual, not on practice across a ward. For example, the restriction of the locked ward is avoided by using a Community Treatment Order, instead of admission. One study showed that an , ‘anti-absconding program’ can reduce the rate of ‘absconding’ and therefore reduce the need to lock doors. The small amount of work on recovery-oriented practice in acute wards suggests that it will involve: > a focus on consumers’ strengths > consumers having choices about what interventions are offered > good working relationships that shape how interventions are (respectfully) offered > re-thinking the core business of the unit, away from treat-first-&-then-recover > promoting consumers’ citizenship and connection to the community, whilst in acute units > staff being educated and knowledgeable about recovery and well supported in recovery-orientation by the organisation
View less >
View more >The aim of the project is to identify the best ways of working with consumers in acute units, so that care is least restrictive of people’s freedoms and is about recovery. We have reviewed international research and Australian policy, to find out what the best practice is and what the impact of locking doors on the people involved is. Below is a summary of what these documents tell us. What evidence is there regarding least restrictive practices? Least restrictive care is an ideology which underpins the delivery of services to consumers across settings, however it is not well researched. Most research about least restrictive strategies has a focus on strategies for an individual, not on practice across a ward. For example, the restriction of the locked ward is avoided by using a Community Treatment Order, instead of admission. One study showed that an , ‘anti-absconding program’ can reduce the rate of ‘absconding’ and therefore reduce the need to lock doors. The small amount of work on recovery-oriented practice in acute wards suggests that it will involve: > a focus on consumers’ strengths > consumers having choices about what interventions are offered > good working relationships that shape how interventions are (respectfully) offered > re-thinking the core business of the unit, away from treat-first-&-then-recover > promoting consumers’ citizenship and connection to the community, whilst in acute units > staff being educated and knowledgeable about recovery and well supported in recovery-orientation by the organisation
View less >
Publisher URI
Subject
Mental Health