Am J Psychiatry 1984; 141:1232-1235
Copyright © 1984 by American Psychiatric Association
Characteristics of assaultive patients in private hospitals
K Tardiff
A study of two large private psychiatric hospitals showed rates and
patterns of assaultive behavior by patients comparable to those found
earlier in a study of public hospitals; this was especially true in the
hospital that admitted involuntary patients. The targets of assault were
predominantly family members other than spouses or children and persons
outside the family. Seclusion was commonly used to manage assaultive
patients in the private hospitals and the seclusion rates were higher than
those found for public hospitals, probably reflecting a staff preference
for seclusion over heavy medication. The need for staff education and
support in the management of assaultive patients exists in private
hospitals as well as public hospitals.
