• M Kostecka and M Zardecka.
• I Kliniki Psychiatrycznej AM w Warzawie.
• Psychiatr Pol. 1997 Nov 1;31(6):691-701.

AbstractThe goal of the research was evaluation how, and to what degree the use of restraint in psychiatric hospitals was changed between 1989 and 1996. Two month observations of the 11 psychiatric wards of Warsaw psychiatric hospitals were conducted. Researchers used special questionnaire to account for all of the cases of restraint. The first research of this sort was performed in 1989, the second--in 1996. Each of the observed wards was described in terms of its conditions, equipment, personnel, the local customs and population of patients (T. Stańczak's questionnaire was used here); global level of pathology was described with the shortened version of Kellam's form. The most important difference between the characteristics of using restraint in 1996 and 1989 is the average time of remaining in restraint: it became distinctly shorter. The percentage of restraint grew after the act was issued but less patients were restrained. More often than in 1989 aggressive behaviour was the reason for restraining patients. The research clearly states that the practice of restraint was evidently modified and the freedom of its use limited. The main causes are probably the introduction of the Mental Health Act and the changes in the observed wards.

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