This document is a summarised version of the PPG Emergency Department DG-CC4 Use of Distraction and Calming Strategies in Western Health Sunshine Hospital and Footscray Hospital Emergency Departments. This summary has been created to be Emergency Department specific, and has been endorsed by the ED Leadership Team. Staff should review the PPG if they require further information.
This QRG aims to guide Sunshine and Footscray Emergency Departments’ clinical staff in the use of distraction and calming strategies with patients presenting in a distressed state and/or displaying behaviors of concern.
Distraction can be an effective short-term tool to support and calm patients presenting in a distressed state. Distraction creates a sense of safety and stability, aids relaxation and reality orientation, and facilitates engagement and communication.
These strategies will be available in Sunshine Hospital and Footscray Hospital Emergency Departments.
This document provides the relevant detail required to support the WH guidelines related to the Use of Distraction and Calming Strategies in Western Health Sunshine Hospital and Footscray Hospital Emergency Departments. It therefore applies to all Footscray and Sunshine ED staff.
In partnership with Western Health’s mental health service providers, the Directors and Nurse Unit Managers of Western Health Sunshine Hospital and Footscray Hospital Emergency Departments have responsibility for the implementation and embedment of, and compliance with, this QRG.
Distraction can facilitate:
Implementing distraction and calming strategies aims to improve the experience of patients in our EDs by reducing the impact of the potentially triggering emergency department environment, and assisting to prevent escalation of behaviour.
Distraction and calming “Pastime Packs” can be accessed at both Sunshine Hospital and Footscray Hospital Emergency department floor storage rooms. The Inventory will be managed by the equipment nursing team at the associated site.
These contain the following:
These resources are available to be offered to an appropriate patient (see below) in order to assist to prevent escalation of behaviour or assist with patient engagement – for example during assessments or discharge planning.
For patients offered the Pastime Pack:
Any ED clinician (EMH, Nursing, Medical or ACE) can identify a patient as being suitable for being offered a Pastime Pack, where:
Figure 1. Pastime Pack sticker
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Appendix A: Information Sheet
Appendix B: Inventory
Printed 10 page set of activities (loose leaf):
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| Crayons |  |
| Stress Ball |  |
| Foam ear Plugs |  |
Supporting Documentation
| Title: | Use of Distraction and Calming Strategies in Emergency Departments | |
| Version: | 1.0 | |
| Date Published: | January 2022 | |
| Date of scheduled review: | 20 February 2024 | |
| Author:SHED Leadership Team | Approver: Shed Leadership Team | |
| Reviewed by: Ian Law | Date: 20 February 2023 | |
