Management of disturbed patients: an alternative to the use of mechanical restraints.

This article briefly outlines some of the causes for violence and describes step by step guidelines to the management of disturbed behaviour in psychiatric patients including how the episode of violence can be dealt with by using a well planned approach, the effective use of medication in the management of acute crises and the actual physical handling of the patient. Recommendations are made regarding the need for the proper education of staff of all disciplines about the causes, prevention and management of such behaviour. The need for a well planned hospital wide policy as well as a treatment plan for each patient which contains contingencies for the management of those who are potentially violent is discussed with emphasis on the need for a thorough discussion following such episodes. The dangers and abuses of mechanical restraints are outlined.