Reducing the Risk of Patient Elopement in Hospitals
Patients who become anxious when they are hospitalized are at risk for elopement. Elopement is when a patient leaves the unit without permission, which can be dangerous and lead to negative outcomes. It is essential to have strategies in place to reduce the risk of patient elopement in hospitals.
Effective Strategy for Reducing the Risk of Patient Elopement
The best strategy to reduce the risk of elopement is by encouraging the patients to engage in unit activities. This approach can help lower anxiety levels and create a sense of belonging among patients, making them less likely to leave the unit without permission.
Explanation: When patients participate in meaningful activities within the hospital unit, they feel more connected, secure, and less inclined to leave without authorization. It is essential to provide patients with opportunities for engagement to promote a positive hospital experience and reduce the risk of elopement.
Patients who become anxious when they are hospitalized are at risk for elopement. What strategy can be effective in reducing the risk of a patient leaving the unit without permission?
A. Warning the patient of the consequences of elopement.
B. Secluding the patient who is at risk of elopement.
C. Restraining the patient who is at risk of elopement.
D. Encouraging the patient to engage in unit activities.
Final answer: Encouraging the patients to engage in unit activities is the best strategy to reduce the risk of elopement because it can help lower anxiety and create a sense of belonging.
Explanation: To reduce the risk of a patient leaving the unit without permission, or elopement, the most effective strategy is D. Encouraging the patient to engage in unit activities. This strategy reduces anxiety and creates a sense of belonging. When patients are involved in meaningful activities, they feel more secure and less inclined to leave the hospital without permission. The other options such as warning the patient of the consequences of elopement, secluding the patient, and restraining the patient may add to the anxiety level or provoke negative emotions in patients.