Aleece Churney

Research Question: Does eliminating coercive measures reduce risk of injuries and negative
patient outcomes compared with the standard practice of administering coercive measures
among psychiatric patients admitted to an acute hospital setting?

Current Standard: implement coercive Patients report a stimulus-free environment as

measures (i.e., physical restraint, least effective contradictory to current
involuntary medication administration, recommendations by healthcare professionals
& seclusion) when patients are imminent
danger to safety of themselves or others

33% of psychiatric
patients are exposed to
coercive measures
during hospitalization

Patients endorse de-escalation strategies i.e.,

patients exposed to coercive relaxation techniques, listening to music &
measures are more likely to physical activity as beneficial
develop deep vein thrombosis
(DVT), aspiration pneumonia
& post-traumatic stress Adequate staffing & scheduled therapeutic
activities reduce use of coercive measures
average hospital stays for
patients exposed to physical
restraint are double that of Shifting patients to less invasive interventions
restraint-free patients (i.e., oral medications in lieu of IV therapy)
avoids need for coercive measures for safety

patients exposed to coercive

measures report feelings of Psychiatric Advance Directives allow patients
frustration, hopelessness, to specify desired interventions & outcomes in
desperation, stress & the event of a psychiatric emergency
dissatisfaction with care

patients with Conclusion: The aforementioned evidence provides rationale that coercive
schizophrenia are at a measures expose psychiatric patients to physical and mental stress that
10% greater risk of interferes with recovery, detrimentally impacts the therapeutic nurse-
exposure to coercive patient relationship, and negatively alters perception about care. Reforming
interventions than current nursing standards to provide care without coercive interventions
any other psychiatric ensures patient safety by promoting physical and mental well-being.
disorder