All reported injuries between 1985 and 1987 in a large Queensland psychiatric hospital were studied. There were 650 incidents investigated; travelling injuries and injuries sustained by staff members not involved with patient care were excluded. Forty-eight per cent (n=323) were assault based injury. Student nurses were most frequently assaulted. It was concluded that training in aggression management should include both counselling and self defence techniques, and that patient and staff rights should be balanced. Student nurses should have experience in wards with a low injury rate, prior to being rostered to the high risk wards.
References
1.
LanzaML.The reactions of nursing staff to physical assault by a patient. Hospital and Community Psychiatry1983;31:6–10.
2.
MillerRD, MaierAJ.Factors affecting the decision to prosecute mental patients for criminal behaviour. Hospital and Community Psychiatry1987;38:50–55.
3.
JonesMK.Patient violence: report on 200 Incidents. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing1985;23:12–17.
4.
AppelbaumKL, AppelbaumPS.A model hospital policy on prosecuting patients for presumptively criminal acts. Hospital and Community Psychiatry1991;42:1233–1237.
5.
CarmelHD, HunterÌ.Staff injuries from inpatient violence. Hospital and Community Psychiatry1989;40:41–46.
6.
TaylorJ, MarshallT.Attitudes of nursing staff relating to violence. Journal of ACMHNN1986;26–31.
7.
MaddenDJ.Recognition and prevention of violence in psychiatric facilities, In: LionJR, ReidWH.Assaults within psychiatric facilities. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1983:213–223.
8.
HodgkinsonP, HollisT, RussellD.Assaults on staff in a psychiatric hospital. Nursing Times1984; 18.
9.
NigroshBJ.Physical contact skills in specialised training for the prevention management of violence. In: LionJR, ReidWH.Assaults within psychiatric facilities. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1983:265–285.
10.
ConveyJ.A record of violence. Nursing Times; 1986: Nov 12 36–38.
11.
BourasN, TrauerÔ, WatsonJP.Ward environment and disturbed behaviour. Psychosocial Medicine1982;2:309–319.
12.
AitkinG.Assaults on staff in a locked ward: prediction and consequences. Medicine Science and the Law1984;24:199–207.
13.
LionSR, SnyderW, MerrillGL.Underreporting of assaults in a state hospital. Hospital and Community Psychiatry1981;32:497–498.
14.
LanzaML, KayneHL, HicksC, MilnerJ.Nursing staff characteristics related to patient assault. Issues for Mental Health Nurses1991;12:253–265.
15.
BlairDT.Assaultive behaviour. Does provocation begin in the front office. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services1991;29:21–26.
16.
GraingerC.Occupational violence - how do you manage the risk of assault in the workplace? Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand1993;1:43–47.
17.
SheridanM, HenrionR, RobinsonL, BaxterV.Precipitants of violence in a psychiatric inpatient setting. Hospital and Community Psychiatry1990;41:776–780.
18.
WhittingtonR, WykesT.Staff strain and social support in a psychiatric hospital following assault by a patient. Journal of Advanced Nursing1992;17:480–486.
