Abstract
Restraints are usually used for the protection of patients and others when medication and verbal therapies are insufficient to control potentially violent patients. Many fear the abuse of restraints as well as their psychological, physical and emotional consequences. In South Africa, according to the Mental Health Care Act No. 17 of 2002, the use of restraints is permissible but subject to certain regulations. Restraint may not be used any longer than is necessary to prevent serious bodily harm to the patient or others. When restraint has the desired effect of settling the patient’s behaviour to the point where control is regained, its further imposition is illegal. Restraints may be classified into three main categories: ( i ) environmental restraints; ( ii ) physical restraints; and ( iii ) chemical restraints. There is much debate over what types of restraint are superior. There may be differences in cost, risk of serious staff injury, requirements of staff time for monitoring and implementation, and impacts on staff and patient attitudes. It is hoped that the use of environmental and physical restraint will be rendered obsolete by advances in the field of psychiatry such psychopharmacology and the therapeutic milieu. In order to reach this goal more research needs to be done on restraint practices across a wide range of psychiatric treatment settings.
Highlights
The use of restraints in psychiatric patientsM Y H Moosa, MMed (Psych), FCPsych, MCFP F Y Jeenah, MMed (Psych), FCPsych University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Restraints are usually used for the protection of patients and others when medication and verbal therapies are insufficient to control potentially violent patients
Restraints may be classified into three main categories: (i) environmental restraints; (ii) physical restraints; and (iii) chemical restraints
Summary
M Y H Moosa, MMed (Psych), FCPsych, MCFP F Y Jeenah, MMed (Psych), FCPsych University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Restraints are usually used for the protection of patients and others when medication and verbal therapies are insufficient to control potentially violent patients. Some people view restraint of psychiatric patients as a violation of basic human rights, others as a necessity for the control of violence, and yet others as a therapeutic modality. One of the strongest justifications for the use of restraints in hospitals is the protection of the patient, others or both. Often medication and verbal therapies are insufficient to control potentially dangerous patients.[2] This and the possible beneficial therapeutic effects of restraints are some strong justifications for their use. Restraint of violent patients allows the staff in psychiatric hospitals to feel safe enough to perform basic psychotherapeutic tasks that often serve to prevent or avoid further violence
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
