Is aggressive behaviour influenced by the use of a behaviour rating scale in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home?
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of the introduction of a behaviour rating scale on reported incidence and management of aggressive behaviours in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home.


METHODS
An 8-month prospective cohort intervention study.


METHODS
Two wards of a Dutch psychogeriatric nursing home with residents of 65 years and older.


METHODS
All residents of the two wards were included (N=75).


METHODS
Social Dysfunction and Aggression Scale (SDAS) assessed at weekly intervals during 4 months after a 4 months' baseline period.


METHODS
During 8 months at 2 months' interval the BOP (ie the validated Dutch version of the Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale); frequency of aggressive behaviour reported at daily nursing staff report; mean prescriptions of psychotropic and somatic drugs; number of days a patient was submitted to physically restrictive measures.


RESULTS
Eleven patients (N=11) did not complete the study; information on 64 patients was analysed. The frequency of aggressive behaviour reported by the nursing staff increased, while prescriptions of psychotropic drugs decreased. No alteration was found for BOP scores, mean prescriptions of somatic drugs and the use of physically restrictive measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of a behaviour rating scale does influence the reported incidence and management of aggressive behaviour. Prospective intervention studies should include a stabilization phase for measurements prior to any planned trial.
Sival
R C
RC
Parnassia Psycho-Medical Centre, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Albronda
T
T
Haffmans
P M
PM
Saltet
M L
ML
Schellekens
C M
CM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D015982:Bias; D015897:Comorbidity; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011594:Psychometrics; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012308:Risk Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs