Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012
need for it, or to substitute it for another, milder measure. As stated above, the warning of
the NPM was intended for cases when owing to the architectural setting of rooms in which
special protection measures are applied to patients, a view of such room is also enabled to
other patients when the staff are temporarily absent (for example, in a case, when the staff
treats one of the patients in the room for the application of special protection measures).
That is in cases when the staff cannot prevent the view of such rooms to unauthorised
persons. That is why, it was proposed, that in cases when the room could not be separated
from the corridor for architectural reasons (for example, by doors), Venetian blinds should be
installed on windows of doors to shade them only in case of the staff’s absence.
Vojnik Psychiatric Hospital uses seguafix belts to apply bodily restraint. It is ordered by
a doctor. One room with four beds is dedicated to the application of special protection
measures at the male secure ward of Vojnik Psychiatric Hospital. The room is located
in the direct vicinity of the room for nurses which enables the supervision of restrained
patients through a window. Part of the room is also protected by blinds, which is intended
for constant supervision. There is a video-surveillance system installed in room 1 which is,
however, disturbing and interferes too much with the patients’ privacy. It was proposed to
Vojnik Psychiatric Hospital that they have it removed. At the female secure in-patient ward,
the record of special protection measures which have been applied is kept in the personal
medical documentation of the patients, and photocopies of special protection measures are
carefully collected in 13 files. Vojnik Psychiatric Hospital should ensure constant presence
of the staff when a person is restrained in bed as well as appropriate constant supervision.
It was explained by the hospital that a patient was always the only patient in a room when
a special protection measure was applied except when this was not possible owing to
the overcrowding of the ward. While applying special protection measures, a constant
supervision by the staff is provided from a room dedicated for such supervision. The staff
keep a record and a comprehensive list (including physiological data – patient’s behaviour,
intake of food and liquids and additional data if a doctor so decides) all the time during
monitoring.
National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to
the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
63
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