@article{ref1,
title="Structured risk assessment and violence in acute psychiatric wards: randomised controlled trial",
journal="British journal of psychiatry",
year="2008",
author="Abderhalden, Christoph and Needham, Ian and Dassen, Theo W. N. and Halfens, Ruud and Haug, H. J. and Fischer, Joachim E.",
volume="193",
number="1",
pages="44-50",
abstract="BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research on the possible contribution of a structured risk assessment to the reduction of aggression in psychiatric in-patient care. AIMS: To assess whether such risk assessments decrease the incidence of violence and coercion. METHOD: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted with 14 acute psychiatric admission wards as the units of randomisation, including a preference arm. The intervention comprised a standardised risk assessment following admission with mandatory evaluation of prevention in high-risk patients. RESULTS: Incidence rates decreased substantially in the intervention wards, whereas little change occurred in the control wards. The adjusted risk ratios suggest a 41% reduction in severe aggressive incidents and a 27% decline in the use of coercive measures. The severity of aggressive incidents did not decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Structured risk assessment during the first days of treatment may contribute to reduced violence and coercion in acute psychiatric wards.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0007-1250",
doi="10.1192/bjp.bp.107.045534",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.045534"
}