Is a No-Restraint Policy Associated with Increased Aggression Towards Healthcare Professionals Among Inpatient Psychiatric Units? A 16-Year Retrospective Observational Study Conducted in Italy
The aim of this study was to investigate aggression-related work accidents in an inpatient psychiatric unit before and after implementing a no-restraint policy in Italy. Results revealed that, over the study period (2007–2022), 113 accidents occurred, mostly related to physical aggression (81.4%), w...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Nursing Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/14/4/276 |
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| Summary: | The aim of this study was to investigate aggression-related work accidents in an inpatient psychiatric unit before and after implementing a no-restraint policy in Italy. Results revealed that, over the study period (2007–2022), 113 accidents occurred, mostly related to physical aggression (81.4%), with healthcare assistants and psychiatric nurses being the most affected and more accidents occurring during the morning shift (49.6%). A transitory peak of accidents occurred during the policy transition (χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub> = 16.0, <i>p</i> < 0.001; V = 1.000), falling rapidly in the subsequent years. In conclusion, adopting a no-restraint policy is not associated with increased aggression toward staff in psychiatric healthcare in the longer term, although greater support is needed during the transition phase to minimize risks. |
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| ISSN: | 2039-439X 2039-4403 |