Citation

Flammer E, Steinert T. Psychiatr. Prax. 2014; 42(5): 260-266.

Vernacular Title

Auswirkungen der vorübergehend fehlenden Rechtsgrundlage für Zwangsbehandlungen auf die Häufigkeit aggressiver Vorfälle und freiheitseinschränkender mechanischer Zwangsmaßnahmen bei Patienten mit psychotischen Störungen.

Affiliation

Zentrum für Psychiatrie Südwürttemberg, Versorgungsforschung Weissenau.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0034-1370069

PMID

24858428

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In the German federal state Baden-Wuerttemberg involuntary medication of detained psychiatric inpatients was unlawful during eight months from July 2012 until February 2013 due to a decision of the Federal Constitutional Court except for emergency situations. We examined whether aggressive incidents and mechanical coercive measures such as seclusion and restraint increased.

METHODS: Routine data of 2.644 cases with schizophrenic and manic disorders in seven psychiatric hospitals were analysed by a pooled cross-section analysis as well as by a longitudinal analysis for the relevant time period and the corresponding period of the preceding year.

RESULTS: The number of mechanical coercive measures and of aggressive incidents increased significantly by over 40 % in the cross-sectional analysis. In the longitudinal analysis which included only patients with admissions in both periods, the increase of both aggressive incidents and coercive measures was over 100 %. Effects on the duration of measures were insignificant.

CONCLUSION: The temporaneous impossibility to apply involuntary medication was associated with a significant increase of aggressive incidents, seclusion, and mechanical restraint.

Language: de