Impact of improved staffing on seclusion/restraint reliance in a public psychiatric hospital.

This study examines the association between gradual improvements in direct care staffing and seclusion/restraint reliance at a public psychiatric hospital. Over a 2-year period, increases in the number of staff members relative to the number of persons receiving care were significantly related to decreases in reliance on seclusion and mechanical restraint for managing challenging behavior problems. The results provide support for the premise that, in addition to education, training and competence of direct care staff the simple number of staff members in relation to number of individuals they assist, is a relevant area of concern.