Research

Willard Psychiatric Center Restraint and Seclusion Reports


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
These files consist of physicians' orders for individual patients to undergo protective restraint or seclusion, and of regular statistical reports detailing the use of the practice at Willard Psychiatric Center (known earlier as Willard State Hospital). The Department of Mental Hygiene and later the Office of Mental Health used these figures to provide each facility director with a monthly record showing where his or her institution stood with respect to the average for other institutions in the department.
Creator:
Title:
Restraint and seclusion reports
Quantity:

2 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:
1969-1985, 1991-1992
Series Number:
B2483

Administrative History

A 1952 directive from Newton Bigelow, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Hygiene, required all mental health facilities to record daily the number of patients in each type of seclusion or restraint. The department used these figures to provide each facility director with a monthly record showing where his or her institution stood with respect to the average for other institutions in the department.

Scope and Content Note

These files consist of physicians' orders for individual patients to undergo protective restraint or seclusion, and of regular statistical reports detailing the use of the practice at Willard. Orders include patient name, number, form of restraint, reason for action, date, and duration of treatment, as well as instructions for staff in regard to the practice. Reports generally include the number of episodes for each action and the aggregated duration of restraint or seclusion.

Access Restrictions

Restricted in accordance with Section 33.13, Mental Hygiene Law, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the Office of Mental Health.

Access Terms

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