Role of enhanced therapeutic observations and care in maintaining the well-being and safety of mental health inpatients

Enhanced therapeutic observations and care (ETOC) enable mental health professionals to observe patients receiving inpatient care. However, while enhanced observations have an important role in risk assessment and management, patients may experience them as isolating, restrictive, lacking privacy and distressing. This article promotes best practice by considering the legal, ethical and professional duties of mental health nurses carrying out ETOC so that they can perform this clinical skill in a way that supports patient safety and adheres to the principles of therapeutic observation. It also emphasises the need for assessment and therapeutic engagement when conducting ETOC, and explains why this should be a priority for mental health nurses.