Violent incidents on a medium secure unit over a 17-year period

Abstract

All violent incident forms completed between 1980 and 1996 on the regional secure unit at the Bethlem Royal Hospital were analysed. During the 17-year period 280 patients were admitted and of those 165 (59%) were involved in one or more violent incidents. There were 2,180 incidents. Two thirds (66%) of incidents were recorded between 1983 and 1986. The incidents peaked at mealtimes, at medication times, and at 2100 hours, the time when day-staff leave and night-staff arrive. A statistical model was developed to analyse the relationship between legal section, diagnosis, age, gender and ethnic differences, and the rate of incidents. The rate of incidents was significantly related to the age of the patients, the time period when the patients were on the unit, and the legal section they were detained under.