NCJ Number
95953
Date Published
1984
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper focuses on training nurses and other health care professionals to physically manage the aggressive patient.
Abstract
A model of prevention and deescalation, designed to lessen the frequency and impact of violent confrontations in hospitals and other health care facilities, is presented. The strategy of confrontation management includes having a response to potential or actual violence and identifying a particular individual as being responsible. During the first stage of an aggression management training program, the trainees must understand and accept the role of mediator. This role allows the nurse to enter and proceed through the confrontation without having to base decisions on whether there will a winner or loser. A good preparation in aggression management techniques acknowledges that one component of success is an awareness of the predictability of the consequences of certain acts. Furthermore, the greatest resource in aggression confrontation situations is the mediator's mind. The need to remain calm during the confrontation is identified. Actions the nurse can take to distract the aggressor are suggested. Finally, the importance of knowing what people may do in stressful situations is emphasized.