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Risk factors for psychiatric inpatient assaults on staff

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Abstract

The risk of psychiatric patient assaults on staff members is increasing yearly, with resultant increases in employee victim suffering, medical expense, and lost productivity. Traditionally considered a clinician responsibility, the management of patient violence also has important administrative implications. This article presents a review of the risk factors associated with violence that includes the characteristics of patients who assault but adds the characteristics of employee victims of such assaults as well as contextual variables. Additional data from a two-year study of a peer-help crisis intervention program for employee victims of patient assaults are included. The mental health administrative implications of this approach are outlined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, The Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge Street, 02139, Cambridge, MA

    Raymond B. Flannery Jr. Ph.D. (Director of Training for the Department of Mental Health)

  2. Clinical and Professional Services, in the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Massachusetts, USA

    M. Annette Hanson M.D. (Deputy Commissioner) & Walter E. Penk Ph.D. (Director of Evaluation)

  3. faculty of Harvard Medical School in the Department of Psychiatry, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery Jr. Ph.D. (Director of Training for the Department of Mental Health), M. Annette Hanson M.D. (Deputy Commissioner) & Walter E. Penk Ph.D. (Director of Evaluation)

Authors
  1. Raymond B. Flannery Jr. Ph.D.
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  2. M. Annette Hanson M.D.
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  3. Walter E. Penk Ph.D.
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Flannery, R.B., Hanson, M.A. & Penk, W.E. Risk factors for psychiatric inpatient assaults on staff. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 21, 24–31 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02521342

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