Research Brief Series: Translating Research Into Practice

BH WELL’s Research Brief series showcases our teams’ most up-to-date research and evidence-based practice in a concise, digestible format. Each research summary serves to bridge the gap between clinical research and public knowledge by enhancing communication, supporting advocacy efforts, and facilitating translation amongst all mental healthcare workers. Providing key insights from evidence-based research will help inform public understanding of health issues, empower individuals to make informed decisions, and to promote overall healthier behaviors/outcomes.

Volume 1: 2024

Volume 2: 2025

Reduction in Afternoon Seclusion and Physical Restraint Minutes Following the Introduction of Additional Daily Snack

Volume 2, Issue 3

February 2025

Closing the Gap: The implementation of an afternoon snack was shown to decrease staff reliance on seclusion and restraints in a psychiatric inpatient setting. By providing patients with structured and supportive intervention, the hospital was able to manage challenging behaviors more effectively while improving safety for both patients and staff.

Promoting Positive Patient Outcomes: This intervention not only decreased seclusion and restraint use but also improved patient satisfaction. The snack program offered a small but meaningful way to engage patients, help them manage hunger-related stress, and established a calmer environment that promoted better overall health outcomes for patients.

Optimizing Resources: The snack program is a cost-effective intervention that requires minimal resources but delivers many benefits. By reducing the need for seclusion and restraints, the hospital was able to improve both patient care and staff safety, optimizing the use of resources while enhancing the therapeutic environment.