Reduction In Use Of Seclusion & Restraint In Pennsylvania Forensic Centers Resulted In Fewer Patient Assaults On Staff

A decade-long reduction in seclusion and restraints at Pennsylvania’s forensic psychiatric centers from 2001 to 2010 was associated with a reduction in patient-to-staff assaults, although the rate of patient-to-patient assaults remained the same. During the decade, the rate of use of mechanical restraints per 1,000 days declined from 1.63 episodes to 0.04 episodes. The rate of seclusion episodes per 1,000 days declined from 0.89 to 0.04. The use of physical restraint declined slightly. Patient-to-staff assaults declined from 0.5 per 1,000 days to 0.4 . . .