I just got out of the hospital on Thursday and one thing I vowed to do when I got out was have the hospital investigated for poor use of restraint and seclusion. Not to get them in trouble, but because a lot of people suffered from it.

I myself was locked in a seclusion room for 4 straight days after a suicide attempt and another 2 locked in my room. Then I was placed back in the seclusion room, because I threw crayons and a journal on the floor for another 30 hours, before I demanded to talk to a patient advocate and I was released, immediately.

I also saw a woman, who was clearly very catatonic, being put on "room restriction", because she annoyed other patients and staff. She was essentially locked in her room.

There are people, like that woman who cannot advocate for themselves. By the 30 hours, which followed the 6 days, I had gone a week without a shower and was hysterically crying and traumatized. Previous to the seclusion I had used the "quiet" room as a place to get away from all the noise, afterwords I vowed never to go near it.

I also saw it happen to another young man, who attempted to run away, while on an outside walk. He spent nearly a week in there and a day or two on room restriction.

Where would I possibly report this stuff too? I've found the laws that state.

Seclusion may only be used for the management of violent or self-destructive behavior that is an immediate threat to the patient's physical safety.

The type or technique of restraint or seclusion used must be the least restrictive intervention that will be effective to protect the patient, a staff member, or others from harm.

Must be discontinued at the earliest possible time.

Time in written orders but not longer than:
4 hours for adults; 2 hours for ages 9-17; and
1 hour for under age 9.
Total limit of 24 hours. ( after renewals)

I was also told by a nurse that because I threw crayons and a journal on the floor, that their were consequences to pay and they would keep me in there as long as they pleased. I had other staff members,(mostly younger) very upset that they kept me in there, despite the level of trauma I was enduring. It was a big battle. That obviously didn't get resolved, because it happened to others, after me.

You can't restrain and seclude for punishment!

I think in general, it was a good hospital, and a positive experience, minus that part. I just don't know if more training is in order for certain staff, or if charts need to be audited for correct seclusion techniques.

Does anyone know who I talk to? Legislatures? Smaller then that? To get it resolved. Because I think about that catatonic woman everyday and I wonder if she's still being locked in her room... it makes me very sad.