Restraint and confinement still an everyday practice in mental health settings

Although control intervention techniques such as restraints and confinement are known patient safety risks, a new study from the University of Waterloo reveals that almost 1 in 4 psychiatric patients in Ontario hospitals are subjected to mental and physical control intervention, including chairs that prevent rising, acute control medications and seclusion. The findings show that restraints are still an everyday practice in inpatient mental health units even though the interventions can damage therapeutic relationships and increase the costs of care. Article