JenniferFields

I know of a 17 yo female patient who has been on a behavioral unit for over 90 days as she waits for an appropriate placement to accept her. She is bipolar with psychosis and is generally calm and cooperative with med compliancy. However, she has not been off this unit for over 90 days. Not two other appropriate units in the facility, one which would allow her to be in an enclosed patio with security fencing to experience sunlight, a breeze, outside weather. I am having concerns about the ethics of this. I have asked the director and assistant director of the program to allow her a one-to-one tech to talk a walk to another unit, and to be able to be outside for ten minutes and their response is that is wouldn't be 'safe." They are both social workers. I looked up the state code for prisoners and they are allowed outside for at least one hour of exercise a day, weather permitting. The patient has gained so much weight, does not exercise and is now exhibiting agitation. Any opinions on this topic would be greatly appreciated.