The journal of behavioral health services & research
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Jan 2007
Reducing mechanical restraints in acute psychiatric care settings using rapid response teams.
This article describes the use of rapid response teams to reduce the use of mechanical restraints (i.e., restricting a person's movement through the use of a mechanical device such as a backboard, net, or papoose) in an acute psychiatric care setting. Rapid response teams have proven highly effective for emergent medical patients, but have not typically been used in behavioral health care settings. ⋯ Changes in hospital census during the implementation process did not appear to account for the reduction in restraints. Rapid response teams and rapid cycle process improvement are discussed as useful change vehicles for behavioral health care organizations.