Resource consumption in psychiatric intensive care: The cost of aggression

Examination of the predictive validity of theDynamicAppraisal ofSituationalAggression in two mental health units

“…Aggressive behaviours within mental health units are a serious, long‐standing, and increasing problem (Rippon ) impacting adversely on patients, staff, and mental health services more generally (Hyde & Harrower‐Wilson ). Numerous studies have found that assaults are common with up to 90% of mental health nursing staff experiencing physical assault or threats of violence annually (Rippon ; Sands et al .…”

“…Aggression also impacts adversely upon patients, as victims, observers, and aggressors, with damaging effects on their recovery (Busch & Shore 2000;Duxbury & Whittington 2005;Fisher 1994). Organizational consequences of aggression include increased sick and stress leave, higher insurance premiums, reputation damage, high nurse turnover, legal liability, and potential loss of government funding (Hyde & Harrower-Wilson 1995;McNeil & Binder 1995). Management of aggression is therefore a high priority for institutions, policy makers, and consumer advocates (Webster & Bailes 2001).…”

The staff observation aggression scale-revised (SOAS-R)

“…In particular, psychiatric nurses are at risk of being confronted with aggression [Nijman et al, 1997a;Shah et al, 1991;Tamm et al, 1996). Not only does patient violence have physical and psychological consequences, it also has considerable financial implications [Cuffel, 1997;Hunter and Carmel, 1992;Hyde and Harrower-Wilson, 1995]. For these reasons, the measurement and prevention of aggression should have a high priority in psychiatric hospitals.…”

Epilepsy and brain injury: A case report of a dramatic neuropsychiatric vicious circle

“…Anti-epileptic drugs can be used to modulate impulsiveness [35]. Valproate, for example, significantly reduced destructive and aggressive behaviour in patients with acquired brain injury [31]. Topiramate is useful in both focal and generalized epilepsy [36], reducing seizure frequency and impulsivity and having a mood-stabilizing effect [37].…”

“…Episodes of aggression in the ward may markedly increase healthcare costs [30,31], in terms of absenteeism of staff suffering aggression [30].…”