OBJECTIVE: To estimate the rate of adverse events to staff, to survey the use of various preventative measures, and to assess any association between these factors and the reported event rate.METHOD: An anonymous postal nation-wide survey of violence reported to managers of psychiatric units in New Zealand.RESULTS: The mean rate of adverse event per 100 full time equivalent staff was 16.2 (range 0-187) for property damage, 16.3 (range 0-204) for attempted assault, 12 (range 0-194) for physical attack, 1.3 (range 0-33) for sexual harassment and 1.1 (range 0-17) for stalking. Inpatient units, the use of pocket alarms, and training in de-escalation were associated highly with an increase risk of adverse events.CONCLUSION: There is a high variation in the rate of violence. The issue of increased rate of events with certain interventions will require further research.
Adolescent Adult