10 years of a doorkeeper system using patients in geriatric psychiatry in Hochweitzschen--a variation of the open-door system for problem areas in inpatient psychiatry

The employment of patients as door-keepers represents a version of the open-door principle that can be used to ensure that the door is opened only as necessary in problem areas of psychiatric hospitals where traditional forms of control are not feasible. The experience gained during the use of this system for 10 years serves as a basis for a description of the practical problems involved, system risks, security measures and organizational aspects.