COVID-19 pandemic in a mental health ward: inpatient admissions, use of mechanical restraint and aggressions

Abstract Background. To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health hospital admissions, the use of mechanical restraint and number of aggressions to the staff. Methods. Outcomes in the period from March 14, 2020–December 31, 2020 were compared to the same period in 2019. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to compare the risk of mechanical restraint during admissions in the two periods, controlling for potential confounding variables. Results. There was a 30.7% reduction in the number of inpatient admissions with significant changes in the profiles of the patients admitted. There were no differences in the risk of restraint and aggressions. Violence was less frequent as a reason for restraint in the pandemic period, while agitation increased. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the functioning of the hospitalization ward. Measures introduced during pandemic did not seem to have a meaningful effect on mechanical restraint procedures or violent behavior towards the staff.