Healing spaces: a retrospective cohort study on the effect of outdoor spaces in psychiatric inpatient units on PRN medication use, seclusion/restraints, and constant observation

The loss of accessible outdoor space appears to influence general adult psychiatric patients more broadly, contributing to an increased reliance on restrictive interventions. This is hypothesized to be due to reduced opportunities for self-regulation, personal space, and distancing from stressors. Staff perceptions of limited environmental de-escalation options may also play a role in intervention use. Geriatric patients, due to their inherent lower mobility and activity levels, showed an increase in PO PRN use. These findings underscore the potential role of accessible outdoor spaces in promoting patient well-being and potentially minimizing the need for coercive measures in acute psychiatric settings.