Open-door policy (ODP) is a flexible framework for acute psychiatric hospital care that emphasises patients’ recovery and personal freedom to reduce coercion. Evidence is debated as RCT data is lacking. Researchers, managers, staff and service user representatives co-created a Nordic ODP and evaluation project, the Lovisenberg Open Acute Door Study (LOADS). The aim of the RCT evaluation was to investigate whether ODP was non-inferior or superior to usual treatment (TAU) ward care by randomly allocating n=550 admissions to either arm for 12 months. Two ODP wards were open 09-21 daily, but closed in case of acute crises. Preliminary analyses suggest no difference between ODP and TAU in violent events or coercive practices. LOADS is relevant to ‘Humane, safe and caring approaches’ by being the first RCT on ODP in 25+ years, with results suggesting acute psychiatric wards can reduce door-locking, an informal type of coercion, without compromising on safety.