Violence and aggression- with laws Flashcards
What is violence?
The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, or against a group or community, which either results in or has the high likelihood of causing injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.
Does having a mental health disorder predispose you to violence?
Not necessarily. If you have a mental health disorder, have been previously violent and partake in substance abuse then yes, but just the mental disorder alone isn’t that much more likely.
How might you manage aggressive behaviour?
Predict it- this is the best way to avoid it. Look at body language.
Prevent it- de-escalation, try and talk to the patient.
Intervention- restraint, seclusion, rapid tranquillisation.
What prophylactic techniques can help to manage aggressive behaviour?
Room layout- always stand closer to the door than the patient
Observations- having them observed by nurses
Locked or open ward setting
Stimulating environment may cause further confusion
To detain someone (in any form) the person has to be:
Appear to have a mental disorder
Cannot make decisions clearly
A danger to themselves/others
When is a person not mentally disordered? (which disorders mean you cannot detain someone)
Alcohol or substance misuse.
Behaviour that is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another
Sexual orientation, sexual deviancy, transsexualism etc.
Who can use an emergency detention order?
Any doctor above the stage of FY2.
Who can use a short term detention and compulsory treatment order
Approved medical practitioners. These are people with at least 4 years training in psychiatry or a member of the royal college of psychiatry.
What order can the police put in place? What are the conditions?
Place of safety order.
The person must be in a public place and the police have to take them somewhere safe to be assessed. This is usually A and E or a psychiatric hospital.
What can nurses do if someone needs detaining and there is no doctor present?
Holding power
It allows them to hold someone for up to a few hours until a doctor arrives. This could be in a scenario where someone tries to leave hospital to commit suicide and there are no doctors around to do an emergency detention.
When might you use an emergency detention?
As a matter of necessity to assess the patients mental state. And if the patient were not admitted- there would be significant risk to others or themselves.
How long does an emergency detention last?
Up to 72 hours
Can a patient appeal an emergency detention?
No
Do you need consent from a mental health officer or AMP to carry out an emergency detention?
Usually there is consent from a MHO but you don’t need it. It must be reviewed by an AMP as soon as possible.
Can you treat a patient under an emergency detention?
No- you can’t treat them without their consent. Unless in an emergency situation.
