{"id":6000,"date":"2018-08-22T17:53:13","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T21:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grafton.local\/?p=6000"},"modified":"2018-08-21T17:55:56","modified_gmt":"2018-08-21T21:55:56","slug":"new-journal-article-proves-restraint-free-approach-provides-safer-treatment-for-individuals-with-a-variety-of-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grafton.org\/new-journal-article-proves-restraint-free-approach-provides-safer-treatment-for-individuals-with-a-variety-of-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"New Journal Article Proves Restraint-Free Approach Provides Safer Treatment for Individuals with a Variety of Disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Using Comfort versus Control, Grafton Integrated Health Network
\nReduces Use of Restraint by 99% and Eliminates Seclusion Entirely<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A new longitudinal study, just released in the journal Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders<\/em><\/strong><\/a>,<\/em><\/strong> illustrates one behavioral healthcare facility\u2019s ability to dramatically reduce physical restraint and completely eliminate seclusion by shifting to an approach of comfort versus control. The article, \u201cEvaluation of a Program Model for Minimizing Restraint and Seclusion<\/strong>,\u201d follows the sharp decline of the use of restraint and seclusion from 2004 \u2013 2016 at Grafton Integrated Health Network<\/strong><\/a>, a Virginia-based facility that serves at-risk and high-risk clients (both children and adults) with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities.<\/p>\n

The study evaluated all of Grafton\u2019s organizational operations, which included more than 750 employees and 3,244 clients in 2016. In the year before the program began (2003), there were 6,646 incidents of restraint and seclusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew there had to be a better way,\u201d said Kim Sanders, co-author of the study and Executive Vice President of Grafton. \u201cNot only were these techniques harmful to both our clients and our staff, they simply didn\u2019t work. In fact, consistent with the data, we saw that using restraint and seclusion was just reinforcing and maintaining aggression and violence. We decided to create a new model for addressing challenging behavior which was grounded in respect for all involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

A comfort versus control mindset was introduced as part of a trauma-informed approach. This method minimizes the chance for everyday operations to traumatize or re-traumatize clients during service delivery. The Grafton philosophy taught response blocking, promoted an understanding of behavioral intent and client needs, and encouraged the development of creative solutions as meaningful alternatives to restraint and seclusion. This cultural shift asked employees to reassure clients, ask questions instead of making assumptions, be flexible, let go of the need to have the \u201cupper hand,\u201d and treat others with kindness and compassion.<\/p>\n

The results were dramatic:<\/p>\n