@article{ref1,
title="Characteristics of Patients With Constant Observers",
journal="Psychosomatics",
year="2018",
author="Solimine, Susan and Takeshita, Junji and Goebert, Deborah and Lee, June and Schultz, Brian and Guerrero, Maria and Tanael, Michael and Pilar, Mark and Fleming, Loraine and Kracher, Stacy and Lawyer, Leah",
volume="59",
number="1",
pages="67-74",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The use of constant observers (&quot;sitters&quot;) has been common practice in many medical centers to maintain patient safety. RESULTS: A retrospective chart review of patients who required sitters from October 1, 2007 to September 31, 2013 at a large, private hospital serving a multiethnic community showed that the top reasons for sitters include suicide risk, agitation, fall risk, interfering with medical devices, and confusion/disorientation. Sitters were used for a mean of 3.4 days ranging from 1 to 287 days, with a mean hospital length of stay of 18.9 days. Although 42.4% of all cases with sitters had a psychiatric consultation, psychiatry was consulted on only 8.5% of those with agitation, 6.3% of those who were disoriented, and 12.7% of those with decisional capacity concerns. Psychiatry was consulted on 87.4% of patients with a constant observer for suicide risks. Sitters were most often discontinued when behaviors improved or when patients were discharged. CONCLUSION: This information will be useful for understanding the optimal way to implement a program that will increase patient safety and decrease cost.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-3182",
doi="10.1016/j.psym.2017.08.003",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psym.2017.08.003"
}