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How safe are patient interview rooms?

All Birmingham Rotation in Psychiatry, Main House, 201 Hollymoor Way, Birmingham B31 5HE, email: helencampbell{at}doctors.org.uk

Nicole K. Fung, Specialist Registrar in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

West Midlands Higher Specialist Training Scheme in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Northbrook Child and Family Unit, Shirley, Solihull B90 3LX

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the safety of rooms used by medical staff to interview patients in out-patient and in-patient settings of a mental health trust. An assessment tool was designed, and examined the features of an interview room that were likely to promote safety.

RESULTS

The survey included 112 rooms and demonstrated shortcomings that compromised interview room safety. Rooms were frequently overcrowded with furniture (n=30), cluttered with loose objects (n=101, 90%) and used for multiple purposes (n=82, 73%). Room layout often compromised either access to alarm systems (n=51, 46%) or exit from rooms (n=99, 88%). Necessary facilities for summoning assistance were found to be lacking.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The safety of interview rooms has not been emphasised sufficiently within everyday working practice and should be revisited.

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