[The comparison of immobilization with isolation].

Immobilization and isolation are two of the four procedures of direct mechanical restraint allowed by the Mental Health Protection Act of August 19, 1994 (article 18). Physical restraint of mentally disordered persons may be used only when such persons wage an attempt against their own life or health, or the life or health of another person, or public safety, or when such persons violently destroy or damage surrounding objects. Both these methods may be used in similar clinical situations. Clinical, ethical and legal aspects of immobilization and isolation show that isolation may be less burdensome and restrictive than immobilization, and particularly during isolation less degree of physical violence is applied than during the immobilization. The Mental Health Protection Act of 1994 states in article 12 that when choosing the type and method of treatment not only health issues but also the interests and other personal values of the mentally disordered person shall be taken into consideration; care shall be taken to achieve improvement of health with the least possible discomfort for that person, and article 18 p. 4 says that when applying physical restraint, the method causing least possible discomfort shall be selected and special care shall be taken to safeguard the well-being of the person concerned. Therefore, it is reasonable and legally justified to demand the introduction of the possibility of isolation in the closed wards of psychiatric hospitals.