The aim of the present study was to obtain suggestions for nursing support to minimize behavioral restrictions by elucidating clinical judgments made by associate head nurses during open observations of patients under seclusion room in psychiatric care. We conducted semi-structure focus group interviews on two occasions with nine deputy head nurses in the middle-management position at a psychiatric hospital. The data collected was analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach. Consequently, clinical judgments made by associate head nurses in open observations of patients under seclusion room was indicated as the core category from the perspective of the "management of the minimization of seclusion," which ensures safety from the perspective of the minimization of seclusion that comprised the five categories: "data collection and predictions," "multidisciplinary cooperation with an awareness of team dynamics," "minimization of seclusion with consideration for ensuring safety," "role as supervisor," and "the minimization of seclusion with consideration for social rehabilitation." The associate head nurse conveyed her own clinical judgments to the staff members and practiced multidisciplinary cooperative work, which included patients concerning the minimization of seclusion.

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