title: Unauthorised absences from leave from an Australian security hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To consider incidents relating to absences without permission from authorised leave from a security hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective audit over a 10-year period of all critical incidents relating to leave from the High Security Inpatient Services, Brisbane, Australia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There has been a low incidence of patients absenting themselves without permission from leave. Of the 12 patients who went absent without permission over the 10-year study period, only one patient was reported to have committed an offence and no patient seriously self-harmed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attention to patient selection and risk management strategies have been effective in minimising the risk to patients and to the community as a direct result of absences without permission from authorised leave.
authors: Forensic Psychiatrist, High Security Inpatient Services, The Park - Centre for Mental Health, Treatment and Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Russ
authors: R
authors: Scott
authors: Vikram
authors: V
authors: Goel
authors: Darren
authors: D
authors: Neillie
authors: Terry
authors: T
authors: Stedman
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Meehan
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012637:Security Measures / Q000639:trends*
keywords: escorted leave; unauthorised absences