A Retrospective Study of Seclusion in an Emergency Department

Abstract

Objectives

To study the practice of seclusion in an emergency department (ED) and to explore high-risk elements during seclusion.

Methods

The study consisted of two parts: an in-depth analysis on all incidents associated with seclusion in a six-year period (1998–2004) and a two-year (2002–2004) retrospective analysis of secluded patient records to understand the rationale and patient outcome.

Results

Part 1: A total of 9 incident records were collected. Four patients were related to setting fire. Five patients had violence or threat of violence. The median length of stay (LOS) in seclusion at the time of incident was 129 minutes. Although 66.7% of the patients had additional restraint prior to the seclusion, incidents still occurred. Two staff sustained injuries and hospital facilities were damaged in some of the incidents. Six patients were later admitted to psychiatric hospital. Part 2: 141 patient data were collected in the study (M: 89 and F: 52). The average monthly number of patients secluded was about 6. The mean age was 45 years (SD 19) and the mean LOS was 616 minutes (SD 478). There were three incidences (2.1%) during the two-year period. A total of 82 patients (58.2%) were associated with violence or threat of violence and 38 (46.3%) of the group had psychiatric illness; and 50 patients (35.5%) were associated with alcohol or drug intoxication. Ultimately, 56 patients (39.7%) were admitted to psychiatric hospital and 64 patients (45.4%) were treated and discharged from the ED.

Conclusion

Seclusion is a high-risk practice. In our department, the most frequent indication was violence (58.2%), with nearly half of them having history of psychiatric illness. Psychiatric illness had the highest risk for incidents, especially those with violence or threat of violence. The LOS in seclusion was relatively long in the ED and might be one of the risk factors for incidents. Inadequate removal of potentially dangerous belongings from patients before seclusion may end up with catastrophic outcomes. Curiously, ED nurses are not allowed to search patients before seclusion. They are exposed to legal liability in exercising restraint and in searching for potentially dangerous items from patients. It is suggested that clear protocols and quality assurance programs should be instituted to ensure safe seclusion.