Conditions for Use:

1. Imminent Risk of Harm: Seclusion may be employed when a patient poses an immediate threat to themselves or others, and other interventions have failed or are deemed inappropriate.
2. Severe Agitation or Aggression: Patients exhibiting extreme agitation or aggressive behavior that cannot be managed through less restrictive means may be placed in seclusion temporarily.
3. Lack of Response to Other Interventions: Before resorting to seclusion, healthcare providers typically try other methods such as verbal de-escalation techniques, medication adjustments, or increased supervision.
4. Protection from External Stimuli: In some cases, patients who are extremely sensitive to external stimuli might benefit from a controlled environment where they can calm down without additional stressors.

Guidelines and Protocols:

1. Legal and Ethical Standards: The use of solitary confinement must comply with legal regulations and ethical standards set by mental health authorities and institutions.
2. Time-Limited Use: Seclusion should only be used for the shortest duration necessary to manage the immediate risk.
3. Continuous Monitoring: Patients in seclusion must be continuously monitored by healthcare staff either directly or via video surveillance.
4. Documentation: Detailed records must be kept regarding the reasons for seclusion, duration, patient behavior during confinement, and any interventions attempted before its use.
5. Review Process: Regular reviews should take place to assess whether continued seclusion is necessary or if alternative measures can be implemented.
6. Patient Rights : Patients should retain their rights even while secluded; this includes access to basic needs like food, water, restroom facilities, medical care if needed.

Goals:

• The primary goal of using solitary confinement in psychiatric wards is not punitive but therapeutic—to ensure safety while working towards stabilizing the patient's condition so they can return safely back into a less restrictive environment as soon as possible.