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

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Abstract

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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery

  2. Cambridge Health Alliance, Department of Psychiatry, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery

  3. Newton Free Library, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Georgina J. Flannery

Authors
  1. Raymond B. Flannery
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  2. Georgina J. Flannery
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Correspondence to Raymond B. Flannery.

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The corresponding author, writing on behalf of all of the authors, states that there are no potential conflicts of interest of any kind in this submission to Psychiatric Quarterly.

Human and Animal Studies

This review of published findings involved no direct research for this manuscript that involved human or animal participants.

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Thus, there was no need for an IRB review or informed consent.

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Flannery, R.B., Flannery, G.J. International Review of Precipitants to Patient Assaults on Staff, 2013–2017. Psychiatr Q 89, 497–503 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-017-9552-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-017-9552-5

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