International Review of Precipitants to Patient Assaults on Staff, 2013–2017

In studying psychiatric patient assaults, assessing the person x event x environment interaction is important in enhancing safety and ensuring quality care. Precipitants to patient assaults have traditionally received less attention than the patient characteristics of such assaults. Reviews of inpatient precipitants from 1960 to 2012 noted acute psychosis, denial of services, and substance abuse as commonly occurring precipitants. The present study reviewed the literature on precipitants from 2013 to 2017. A variety of precipitants, including acute psychosis, substance abuse, and denial of services were observed. The literature in this review broke new ground in subjects, methodologies, and precipitants. These new findings and a detailed methodological inquiry are presented.