[black small square] In a recent Issues in Nursing article, no one expressed an opinion regarding the use of locked seclusion rooms in psychiatric units ("No Restraints Allowed: Legalities and Realities," January 2004). These rooms are a type of restraint used for the protection of the patient or others. I'm curious about how other psychiatric nurses feel about them.

I also think that we need to use restraints more, not less, with agitated demented patients in medical/surgical units. I've seen an increase in staff injuries when other interventions fail. And if a patient needs 1:1 care as a substitute for restraints, adequate staff isn't always available.