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The National Audit of Violence: in-patient care for adults of working age

Royal College of Psychiatrists’Research and Training Unit, 4th Floor Standon House, 21 Mansell Street, London E1 8AA, email: rchaplin{at}cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

Maureen McGeorge, Quality Improvement Programme Manager and Paul Lelliott, Director

Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Research and Training Unit, London E1 8AA

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

We audited 184 psychiatric wards against clinical practice guidelines for the management of violence. Staff and service users completed anonymous questionnaires. Environmental inspections were performed by two teams.

RESULTS

There were 4460 questionnaires returned. Nurses (78%) were significantly more likely to report the experience of violence than service users (37%). Drugs were reported by 72% of nurses and alcohol by 61% as causing problems. Other standards frequently not met included staffing levels, training, provision of activities, ward design and ambience.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Specific issues are identified that must be addressed by national and local action. A baseline is set against which the impact of this action can be judged. Priorities must include tackling drug and alcohol use in psychiatric wards.

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