Citation

Solimine S, Takeshita J, Goebert D, Lee J, Schultz B, Guerrero M, Tanael M, Pilar M, Fleming L, Kracher S, Lawyer L. Psychosomatics 2018; 59(1): 67-74.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psym.2017.08.003

PMID

28935115

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of constant observers ("sitters") 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.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Epidemiology; Adolescent; Accidental Falls; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult; Sex Distribution; Age Distribution; Self-Injurious Behavior; Ethnicity; Caregivers; Marital Status; Referral and Consultation; Mental Disorders; Psychomotor Agitation; Patient Safety; Insurance, Health; Hospitals, Private; Confusion; Constant observer; Consultation-Liaison psychiatry