A 2-year, longitudinal study of 2,838 patients finds that a change of treatment policy from “closed” to “open-ward” treatment reduced the use of coercive measures, seclusion, and forced medication, whereas forced medication increased on wards that remained closed. “The decrease in seclusions on newly opened wards remained statistically significant after controlling for diagnoses and severity of illness,” conclude the authors, “Open ward treatment was successfully implemented and was associated with a significant decrease of coercive measures in our study. It might therefore provide a good care model, strengthening the patient’s right to autonomy and leading to a reduction of coercive measures.”
Jungfer, H., Schneeberger, A., Borgwardt, S., Walter, M., et al; Reduction of Seclusion on a Hospital-Wide Level: Successful Implementation of a Less Restrictive Policy. Journal of Psychiatric Research. Online April 1, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.03.020
