Social Isolation on psych unit

[Shell5]

Hello. I work in psyh. Just curious if any of you use social isolation with children or adolescents on your units. We use it if a child or adolescent is not able to be around others either because they cannot maintain themselves around the others or if they are a perpetrator. They can go to the cafeteria and watch movies as long as they sit separate from peers.

Do any of you have this on your inpatient units and if so does your social isoloation work, assuming they are on no other restrictions.

Thanks in advance

[elkpark]

We call it "peer isolation" but it's the same idea -- they participate in therapeutic groups/activities, but, during free time, they have to sit by themselves and work on written assignments about their issues instead of socializing with peers.

I wouldn't say I really see it "work" -- it's more a matter of our Fearless Leaders not knowing what else to do with those kids ...

[pinkiepie_RN]

When I floated to adolescent units it was called 10 feet/verbal zoning. It worked as long as it was enforced by all staff.

[Andrew, RN]

We have "Black Out Boundaries"

The pt can not interact w/ someone they are on BOBs with. They have to be at least 3 feet away from them as well.

One male pt is on BOBs w/ all female peers.

It is confusing whom is on BOBs with whom and is not evenly enforced by the staff.

[psych_nurse]

when i floated to adolescent units it was called 10 feet/verbal zoning. it worked as long as it was enforced by all staff.

there is the key!!! we use it and it works well as long as you have the staff to enforce it..