Compulsory procedures in the psychiatric department, Frederiksberg Hospital, before and after introduction of the new psychiatric legislation
Schepelern, E.S.; Aggernaes, K.H.; Stender, A.K.; Raben, H.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 155(8): 553-557
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 8451790 Document Number: 422468
Registration of compulsory procedures in a psychiatric department before and after the reform of the Danish law concerning commitment and compulsory procedures in psychiatry. The purpose of this investigation was to register if the law reform 01.10.1989 caused changes in the extent of compulsory procedures in a psychiatric department. The study was prospective. During the period: 01.02.1988-30.09.1991, all compulsory procedures in the department of psychiatry, Frederiksberg Hospital, were registered. A total of 289 patients had been subjected to compulsory procedures during 336 admissions. The compulsory procedures registered were: incarceration in the department, forced medication and restraint by a belt. The total number of admissions with compulsory procedures increased after the law reform. The number of incarcerations increased. No changes were registered in the number of restraints and forced medications in connection with the law reform but, two years after, increases of 37% and 74% respectively were registered. One of the main purposes of the law reform was to limit and, if possible, to prevent compulsory procedures. This purpose has not been fulfilled. The increase in the extent of compulsory procedures in the latter part of the observation period is probably caused by factors such as increase bed occupancy and decrease in resources.