Restraints in Greek mental health services: Ethics, practice and costs

Psychiatrikē = Psychiatriki
G AlevizopoulosC Touloumis

Abstract

The use of physical and mechanical restraints in mental health services in Greece arise many ethical and practical issues. The justification of the use of such procedures is rather controversial and subjective to scientific debate. The practice of restraint puts both patients and staff at risk for injury and death. Moreover, restraints can be traumatic even when they do not result in any physical injury to the patient. The types of the physical adverse events include dehydration, suffocation, circulation disturbances, skin problems, loss of strength and mobility, incontinence, etc. Research studies regarding the use of restraints are limited, although individual, professional, and social impact is extensive. Worldwide many associations involving patients, care givers and patient rights authorities have disapproved such techniques as inhumane and against recent scientific evidence. Nevertheless, the methods are being used for highly agitated and violent patients in mental health hospitals in order to protect the patients and others towards physical harms. Verbal de-escalation strategies should be attempted prior to the use of any form of restraint. Although there are no strict guidelines in Greece for the use of the least restri...Continue Reading

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