AGGRESSION

Is a normal human emotion that becomes Abnormal when it is not an accepted response to a provocation or is too extreme to be acceptable. Aggression may be a Positive emotion if it is directed properly. In a Psychiatric unit aggression may be the result of Frustration., Confusion, Hallucinations or Delusions. Aggression to Violence may be seen as a continuum:

VERBAL ------- VIOLENCE TO OBJECTS ------ VIOLANCE TO PEOPLE

The best way to deal with Aggression is to prevent it or redirect it. It is very frustrating to be confined in a hospital with no outlet for your energies. Therefore one of the methods used is to divert the energy and aggression into sports or physical activity. If a patient is feeling frustrated and angry they should be allowed to VENTILATE their thoughts and feelings verbally.

A close Therapeutic Relationship will also reduce the risk of Violence. The nurse "ill be able to identify problems Before they reach crisis point and defuse the situation. Medication changes may also be made if the nurse observes that Hallucinations or Delusions are leading to aggression.

DEALING WITH A VIOLENT INCIDENT:

1.  Never try to deal with a violent patient on your own. GET HELP
2. Either You or the Patient will get hurt if you deal with a situation on your own.
3. Do Not Panic, Keep Calm.
4. THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT THE TRAINED STAFF WILL DO.
5. When help arrives clear other patients from the area and remove articles that could cause injury from the area.
6. One Nurse must take charge, do All the Talking and organize the restraint.
7. Individual nurses should be designated to hold each limb near a Major Joint
8. Pressure should Never be applied to the Neck, Chest or Abdomen.
9. The patient should be Brought to the Ground and placed Face Down while being held.
10. Physical restraint should not be released until the patient either Stops the Attack or has been sedated.
11. The incident should be analyzed afterwards so that lessons can be learned.

KEY POINTS:

• Aggression is a normal human emotion that becomes Abnormal when it is not an accepted response to a provocation or is too extreme to be acceptable.
• Aggression may be a Positive emotion if it is directed properly. In a Psychiatric unit aggression may be the result of Frustration, Confusion, Hallucinations or Delusions.
• The best way to deal with Aggression is to prevent it or redirect it. Divert the energy and aggression into sports or physical activity. A patients should be allowed to VENT/LA TE their thoughts and feelings verbally.
• A close Therapeutic Relationship will reduce the risk of violence
• Never deal with a violent patient on your own. Keep Calm. Clear other patients from the area and remove articles that could cause injury. One Nurse must take charge. Nurses should be designated to hold each limb near a Major Joint.
• Pressure should Never be applied to the neck, Chest or Abdomen. The patient should be Brought to the Ground and placed Face Down while being held.
• Physical restraint should not be released until the patient either Stops the Attack or has been sedated.
• The incident should be analyzed afterwards so that lessons can be learned