Characteristics of staff victims of patient assault: Ten year analysis of the Assaulted Staff Action Program: (ASAP)

Patient assaults on staff have been a continuing risk for inpatient and com munity-based psychiatric healthcare providers. This study presents a ten-ye ar analysis of the characteristics of staff victims of patient assaults in one public mental health system of care, a period which included the transi tion to managed care initiatives within this system. Assault data was gathe red within the context of the Assaulted Staff Action Program (ASAP), a volu ntary, system-wide, peer-help, crisis intervention program that is designed to assist employees with the psychological sequelae of these patient event s. In general, the findings were consistent with previously reported inpati ent and community studies. Less experienced, less formally trained employee s remain at high risk. The impact of managed care initiatives was found in community residences where younger female staff were most at risk. The impl ications of the findings and possible risk management strategies are discus sed.