Abstract
Methods
The National Hospital Discharge Register data comprising all psychiatric inpatient treatment periods of 12- to 17 year-olds
in Finland during the period 1996–2003 was used. Time trends, regional variation and patient characteristics related to the
risk of being subjected to seclusion/restraint in psychiatric inpatient treatment are reported.
in Finland during the period 1996–2003 was used. Time trends, regional variation and patient characteristics related to the
risk of being subjected to seclusion/restraint in psychiatric inpatient treatment are reported.
Results
The average prevalence of use of seclusion and restraint was 1.71/10,000/year over the study period. Use of seclusion/restraint
in adolescent psychiatric inpatient care first increased, peaking in 1999–2001, and then decreased. The decrease occurred
after stricter legislative control of use of seclusion/restraint was introduced in 2002, despite that involuntary treatment
periods did not decrease. Considerable regional variation was seen in the use of seclusion/restraint. A greater proportion
of girls than boys were secluded/restrained. Seclusion/restraint was most common in schizophrenia, mood disorders and conduct
disorder.
in adolescent psychiatric inpatient care first increased, peaking in 1999–2001, and then decreased. The decrease occurred
after stricter legislative control of use of seclusion/restraint was introduced in 2002, despite that involuntary treatment
periods did not decrease. Considerable regional variation was seen in the use of seclusion/restraint. A greater proportion
of girls than boys were secluded/restrained. Seclusion/restraint was most common in schizophrenia, mood disorders and conduct
disorder.
Conclusions
Legislative control had the desired immediate impact on the use of seclusion/restraint in adolescent psychiatric inpatient
care. Legislative control is, however, not strong enough to ensure homogenous practices across the country, as there is many-fold
regional variation in figures for using seclusion and restraint.
care. Legislative control is, however, not strong enough to ensure homogenous practices across the country, as there is many-fold
regional variation in figures for using seclusion and restraint.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-011-0456-7
- Authors
- Siponen Ulla, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
- Välimäki Maritta, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
- Kaltiala-Heino Riittakerttu, Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954