A staff self-reported retrospective survey of assaults on a psychiatric intensive care ward and attitudes towards assaults. (10th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Brien, Aileen; Tariq, Sohail; Ashraph, Mark; Howe, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric intensive care. Volume 10:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 93
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2013-10-10
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Intensive care units -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.21
• DOI: 10.1017/S1742646413000241
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6464

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="intro"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>Assaults on staff on psychiatric intensive care wards are unfortunately common and have a negative impact on morale.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="general"> <title>Method</title> <p>Staff on one PICU completed a survey providing an account of any assaults they had experienced over the previous year and a separate survey regarding attitudes towards assaults.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="results"> <title>Results</title> <p>65% of staff members reported having being assaulted over the year. Most did not take any time off work. Attitudes towards prosecution of patients varied. Staff valued training in this area.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Assaults are common on a PICU and staff are ambivalent about prosecuting patients. More training may be of value regarding prediction of assaults, and about the criminal justice interface.</p> </sec> </abstract>