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International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 53, No. 1, 75-84 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764007075011
© 2007 SAGE Publications

Adverse Incidents, Patient Flow and Nursing Workforce Variables on Acute Psychiatric Wards: The Tompkins Acute Ward Study

Len Bowers

Psychiatric Nursing, St Bartholomew School of Nursing and Midwifery, City University, Philpot Street, London E1 2EA, UK; L.Bowers{at}city.ac.uk

Teresa Allan

Health and Care Statistics, City University, London, UK

Alan Simpson

Henk Nijman

Mental Health, City University, de Kijvelanden Hospital, the Netherlands

Jonathan Warren

Nursing Practice and Policy, East London; City Mental Health NHS Trust, UK

Background: Adverse incidents (violence, self-harm and absconding) can cause significant harm to patients and staff, are difficult to predict, and are driving an increase in security measures and defensive practice.

Aims: To explore the relationship between adverse incidents on acute psychiatric wards, admissions and nursing workforce variables.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of officially collected data covering a period of 30 months on 14 acute wards at three hospitals. This data included 69 serious untoward incidents.

Results: Adverse incidents were more likely during and after weeks of high numbers of male admissions, during weeks when other incidents also occurred, and during weeks of high regular staff absence through leave and vacancy.

Conclusions: It may be possible to predict adverse incidents. Careful staff management and deployment may reduce the risks.


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