Posted: April 30th, 2022

Safety in the Psychiatric Centers

Safety in the Psychiatric Centers

Psychiatric centers are facilities that provide mental health care to people with various mental disorders. They offer services such as diagnosis, treatment, counseling, medication, and rehabilitation. However, safety is a major concern for both patients and staff in these centers. This blog post will discuss some of the safety issues and challenges that psychiatric centers face, and how they can be addressed.

Safety Issues and Challenges

One of the main safety issues in psychiatric centers is the risk of violence. Violence can occur between patients, between patients and staff, or between staff members. According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), 8.6% of psychiatric patients reported experiencing physical violence during their stay in a psychiatric facility, and 2.4% reported experiencing sexual violence . Moreover, 27.3% of psychiatric staff reported experiencing physical violence from patients, and 18.8% reported experiencing verbal abuse . Some of the factors that can increase the risk of violence include:

– The presence of psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia
– The use of substances, such as alcohol or drugs
– The history of trauma, abuse, or aggression
– The lack of social support or coping skills
– The environmental stressors, such as overcrowding, noise, or poor lighting

Another safety issue in psychiatric centers is the risk of self-harm or suicide. Self-harm is defined as any intentional act of injuring oneself without suicidal intent, while suicide is defined as any intentional act of killing oneself . According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 4% of psychiatric patients attempted suicide during their stay in a psychiatric facility, and 0.4% died by suicide . Moreover, 12% of psychiatric staff reported witnessing a suicide attempt by a patient, and 1.6% reported witnessing a completed suicide . Some of the factors that can increase the risk of self-harm or suicide include:

– The presence of depressive symptoms, such as hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness
– The presence of suicidal thoughts or plans
– The history of self-harm or suicide attempts
– The access to lethal means, such as sharp objects or medications
– The lack of supervision or monitoring

How to Address Safety Issues and Challenges

To address the safety issues and challenges in psychiatric centers, several strategies can be implemented. These include:

– Providing adequate training and education for staff on how to prevent, manage, and report violence and self-harm
– Implementing policies and procedures that promote a culture of safety and respect among patients and staff
– Providing appropriate screening and assessment for patients to identify their risk factors and needs
– Providing individualized and evidence-based treatment for patients that address their mental health problems and enhance their recovery
– Providing a safe and supportive environment for patients that meets their physical, emotional, and social needs
– Providing regular supervision and support for staff to prevent burnout and stress

Conclusion

Safety is a vital aspect of quality care in psychiatric centers. By addressing the safety issues and challenges that psychiatric centers face, both patients and staff can benefit from improved outcomes and well-being.

References

: World Health Organization (WHO). (2002). World report on violence and health. Geneva: WHO.

: American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: APA.

: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2010). Suicide prevention in an inpatient setting. Bethesda: NIMH.

: Duxbury, J., & Whittington, R. (2005). Causes and management of patient aggression and violence: Staff and patient perspectives. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 50(5), 469–478.

: Oud, N., & Meyboom-de Jong, B. (2009). Assessment in mental health care: A practical approach. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 18(6), 391–400.

: Happell, B., & Gaskin, C. J. (2013). The attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(1–2), 148–158.

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