SPOTLIGHT: Jessica Walker, BSN, RN
Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital (VPH)
Registered Nurse 2
Type of project: Research/Quality Improvement
Title of project: Sensory Room for De-Escalation in a Psychiatric Hospital
Co-workers involved in project: Sensory Room Task Force of VPH 1
Description of project: To develop a sensory room for the Thought Disorders Unit at VPH, using evidence-based practice to improve patient care. Sensory rooms have calming and altering options for each of the senses. They promote relaxation by decreasing agitation and stress. The rooms can also be used as a preventative tool to reduce seclusion and restraints for our patients.
References used during this project:
- Sensory approaches in inpatient psychiatric settings: Innovative alternatives to seclusion & restraint. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services.
- Caring with comfort rooms. Reducing seclusion and restraint use in psychiatric facilities. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services.
- Sensory room development: Ideas for creating and furnishing a sensory room. The Sensory Connection Program.
Why you chose this project: I attended the American Psychiatric Nurses Association conference in 2011 and saw a presentation about an inpatient psychiatric hospital that utilized a sensory room.
Future plans: This project is still in the process. Our next steps include setting the room-up, creating rules for usage of the room, and training the VPH staff on how to utilize this room.
Poster presentations:
- Sensory Room for De-Escalation in a Psychiatric Hospital - VUMC Nursing Research Day. October 17, 2012.
- Sensory Room for De-Escalation in a Psychiatric Hospital - Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital's Nursing Grand Rounds.
If you have any questions about Jessica's project she can be reached via email at Jessica.Walker@vanderbilt.edu.