title: Characteristics of staff victims of psychiatric patient assaults: 20-year analysis of the Assaulted Staff Action Program.
abstract: Psychiatric patient assaults on healthcare staff are a worldwide occupational hazard. This present 20-year, retrospective study examined the characteristics of these staff victims in one public-sector, health care system and assessed the psychological support provided to these victims by the post-incident Assaulted Staff Action Program (ASAP). An additional analysis compared the victim characteristics in this same health care system at 10-, 15-, and 20-year intervals. The findings were consistent with earlier, worldwide studies. Staff victims tend to be younger, less formally educated, less experienced, and less trained mental health workers, residential house counselors, and trainees of differing disciplines. ASAP provided needed support to staff victims. Risk management strategies for safety, methodological issues, and the problem of denial in fielding a post-incident crisis intervention program for staff victims were discussed.
authors.affiliation: Worcester State Hospital, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Worcester, MA, USA. raymond_flannery@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Raymond B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Flannery
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: LeVitre
authors.forename: Stephany
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rego
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012308:Risk Management; D013997:Time Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult