BENDIGO Health’s involvement in two state government initiatives is producing positive results for psychiatric patients across the Loddon Mallee region.
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The initiatives explore ways to reduce restrictive practices such as seclusion and physical restraint without compromising safety.
Psychiatric Services executive director Associate Professor Philip Tune staff were adopting several measures that are locally relevant and promote recovery-oriented practice.
They include the creation of the new role of reducing restrictive intervention (RRI) project co-ordinator.
Dr Tune said the role had already delivered positive outcomes in changing practice within the inpatient units, resulting in Bendigo Health’s seclusion rate reducing from 34.4 to 8.3 per 1000 bed days currently.
He said Bendigo Health had also conducted several public forums seeking peoples’ experience of interventions and ideas for alternative approaches.
“Interested people were asked to voluntarily contribute their story and participate in a workshop to develop educational materials,” Dr Tune said.
Bendigo Health has started using sensory modulation equipment - a therapy that enables patients to regulate responses to sensory and motor stimulation.
Dr Tune said these result in calmer, therapeutic environments that contribute to a reduction in restraint and seclusion.
"Through staff training in sensory modulation, the use of a sensory room and sensory modulation equipment, patients will have more opportunities to manage agitation or anxiety in a safe, collaborative manner,” he said.
