Seclusion and Restraint

Points to Consider:

• “Episodes” are defined by physician’s orders and are measured from the beginning of the treatment until the end.
  • Example: One episode could last for five minutes, while another episode could be ordered for two hours, both for the same patient.  This would qualify as two separate episodes within a 24-hour period.
• Multiple episodes can be attributed to one patient during one inpatient admission
• Reporting seclusion and restraint data became mandatory January 2008, under current state law.  OPIC members voluntarily report hospital-specific data, exceeding the requirements of Oregon statute.
• Oregon hospitals have been compliant with current state statute as it relates to SB 265.  The statute reads:
  
  The department shall adopt rules to require a facility and a nonhospital facility as those terms are defined in ORS 426.005, and a provider that employs a person described in ORS 426.415, if subject to department rules regarding the use of restraint or seclusion during the course of mental health treatment of a child or adult, to report to the department each calendar quarter the number of incidents involving the use of restraint or seclusion.  The aggregate data shall be made available to the public.

·      The information below, as reported by each hospital facility, is annual data on the number of seclusion and restraint episodes.  As defined by Oregon statute:

• Restraint: Any manual method, physical or mechanical device, material, or equipment that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a patient to move his or her arms, legs, body, or head freely.
• Seclusion: The involuntary confinement of a patient alone in a room or area from which the patient is physically prevented from leaving.
  
  
• Medical staff in the hospitals represented by OPIC are highly-trained in the latest methods of patient care; their paramount priority is the patient's safety and well-being while in our care.
• Each facility treats a different demographic of patient, specializes in different treatments and provides a service unique to its community.  Different circumstances and conditions call for different techniques and procedures.
• OPIC members review internal policies and procedures regularly.  We also provide professional development opportunities to increase clinical skills and communication techniques as they relate to patient care.