THE EFFECT OF AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION PACKAGE ABOUT AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR DIRECTED AT THE NURSING STAFF ON A CONTINUING CARE PSYCHOGERIATRIC WARD

Introduction. Levels of aggressive behaviour on continuing care wards are high. Various staffing factors, potentially amenable to improvemen t by training, are important in reducing and preventing aggressive beh aviour. Method. The efficacy of an educational package, directed at th e nursing staff, in reducing aggressive behaviour on a psychogeriatric continuing care ward was prospectively evaluated over an 18-week peri od. The package was administered during the middle 6-week period. Aggr essive behaviour was measured using the RAGE and SOAS scales. Results. Aggressive behaviour on both these scales was reduced after the educa tional package, and the educational intervention package may explain t his reduction. Conclusions. The educational package may have genuinely reduced aggressive behaviour or improved the nursing staffs tolerance and reporting threshold for aggressive behaviour. Studies with improv ed methodology in several different settings are suggested. (C) 1998 J ohn Wiley & Sons, Ltd.