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Letters

Published Online: 1 December 2005

Al Herzog, M.D.Authors Info & Affiliations

Publication: Psychiatric Services

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.56.12.1622

To the Editor: As chairperson of the American Psychiatric Association's committee in patient safety, I applaud the inclusion of the articles on seclusion and restraint in the September issue of Psychiatric Services (1,2,3,4,5). The safe and minimal use of seclusion and restraint is one of the committee's first three initiatives. Reading these articles makes one realize that this particular patient safety goal is well on its way to being achieved.

However, I would also argue that, for most acute psychiatric settings, total elimination of seclusion and restraint is not a practical goal unless one puts dogma ahead of both patient safety and staff safety. Rather, I would argue that the goal should be safe, judicious, and minimal use of seclusion and restraint.

Footnote

Dr. Herzog is vice-president of medical affairs at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, and professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington.

References

Donat DC: Encouraging alternatives to seclusion, restraint, and reliance on PRN drugs in a public psychiatric hospital. Psychiatric Services 56:1105–1108,2005

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LeBel J, Goldstein R: The economic cost of using restraint and the value added by restraint reduction or elimination. Psychiatric Services 56:1109–1114,2005

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Smith GM, Davis RH, Bixler EO, et al: Pennsylvania state hospital system's seclusion and restraint reduction program. Psychiatric Services 56:1115–1122,2005

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Frueh BC, Knapp RG, Cusack KJ, et al: Patients' reports of traumatic or harmful experiences within the psychiatric setting. Psychiatric Services 56:1123–1133,2005

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Robins CS, Sauvageot JA, Cusack KJ, et al: Consumers' perceptions of negative experiences and "sanctuary harm" in psychiatric settings. Psychiatric Services 56:1134–1138,2005

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Psychiatric Services

Volume 56 • Number 12 • December 2005

Pages: 1622

PubMed: 16339636

History

Published online: 1 December 2005

Published in print: December 2005

Authors

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Al Herzog, M.D.

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