Prevention and management of violence and aggression

Abstract

The prevention and management of violence and aggression (PMVA) in mental health inpatient settings raises a number of issues for staff involved in this type of intervention. The aim of this chapter is to outline some of the issues pertinent to staff and review historical and current influences for physical restraint. It discusses the physical risks that may be posed by a restraint, including prone restraint concerns, and reviews the public health model in relation to care planning around the management of disturbed behaviour—looking at the use of primary, secondary, and tertiary level interventions. In addition, the chapter discusses risk assessment and the decision-making process involved in a restraint. Finally, before considering the future directions of PMVA, legislation relevant to restraint is reviewed within the UK setting.