“If, based on clinical judgement, knowledge and assessment of the person and their behaviour, clinical staff believe that a person is soon likely to significantly harm themself or put at significant risk the health or safety of another person, and seclusion is the least restrictive treatment response, then this belief is reasonable grounds to seclude the person.”
“the rationale for seclusion must be clearly documented in the patient's clinical record and discussed with the medical practitioner and authorised psychiatrist. It would be inadequate, for example, to write that the person required protection from immediate or imminent risk to personal safety. Clinical staff are expected to document how they had formed that opinion.”
“In an emergency situation, the senior registered nurse on duty may authorise the use of seclusion and must notify a registered medical practitioner without delay.”
“Absconding should only be used as a reason for seclusion if absconding presents a serious risk to the health or safety of the person or others and seclusion is used as an intervention of last resort once less restrictive measures have been considered.”
“A registered nurse must review the secluded person at intervals of not more than fifteen minutes.”
“A registered medical practitioner must examine the secluded person at least every four hours. This examination should be as thorough as the circumstances permit.”
“If a person is asleep following seclusion, clinical staff should assess whether it is appropriate to end the seclusion.”