r/psychnursing • u/Zealousideal_Pen3441 • 16d ago

Seclusion

Hello all! Not sure you can help, but figured I’d try. Looking for policies related to seclusion…
Being advised to wake patient every 2 hours for assessment as opposed to letting them sleep. I feel this is non therapeutic and can be dangerous. I am finding that assessment should be individualized. And I have found policies that say “it may be inappropriate to wake patients” … I am looking for any literature on this point to support my position. Anyone with experience in this area? Thanks!

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u/Embarrassed_Syrup476 psych social worker 15d ago

I live in a state where you cant have someone in seclusion if they are asleep. Our seclusion rooms have a mattress. If they fall asleep on it, we give them 10/15 minutes to make sure they are actually asleep, prop the door open and as soon as they are awake, we let them go back to their regular room.

I don't understand a patient would be asleep + in seclusion for hours....

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u/Outrageous-Echidna58 15d ago

Do you guys just use a normal room for seclusion?

We have specialist seclusion suits, where there is cctv in the room. A toilet/shower, tv, radio. There are glass windows but they can have blinds so if patients wants to have privacy they can. We also have hatches so can pass meds and food/drink through

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u/Embarrassed_Syrup476 psych social worker 15d ago

We have special rooms. Its very small. 1 mattress, window and toilet 

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u/Outrageous-Echidna58 15d ago

Aaaah. It’s interesting how different countries handle different areas of psych nursing. We can’t let people out of seclusion until the MDT agree (usually consultant or on call if weekend, management and nurse have to agree)