Mental health staff are at risk of sustaining injury from the application of physical intervention, two recent studies reporting that the risk is almost one in every five…
Abstract
Mental health staff are at risk of sustaining injury from the application of physical intervention, two recent studies reporting that the risk is almost one in every five inidents. It is important that health care organisations are proactive in attempting to reduce the injuries to staff from all sources. Current physical intervention training focuses on safeguarding staff from physical assault and little time is dedicated to ensuring that staff use ergonomically safe and efficient body postures while using physical interventions, in spite of the risk of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders. To combat this problem, those in general nursing have produced a variety of risk assessment tools and conducted research on optimal ways of conducting manual handling training so that staff receive optimal uptake and transference of information from training. This article reviews the research in general nursing and analyses it with a view to informing future physical intervention training programmes.
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Lee Hollins and Brendon Stubbs
The fallout from numerous inquiries into the death of patients, as well as the timely development of various pieces of anti‐discrimination and human rights legislation have all…
Abstract
Purpose
The fallout from numerous inquiries into the death of patients, as well as the timely development of various pieces of anti‐discrimination and human rights legislation have all led to a major shift in the way physical restraint techniques are now used. Even so, techniques remain potentially harmful, with danger present in every application. This paper seeks to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the relevant literature revealed a large number of the psychiatric population are uniquely vulnerable to harm. The paper then examined how the way that this risk is managed could be enhanced.
Findings
The literature review revealed that a significant minority of patients in forensic settings engage in the types of damaging or injurious behaviours that may, as a last resort, require physical intervention. Physical intervention systems, some of which have migrated across into forensic settings from police and prison training portfolios, are often comprised of generic techniques which are applied in an unmodified form to patients; this mismatch can increase risk. The authors draw on a developing body of literature that examines how physiotherapists and manual handling experts can be used to enhance risk management strategies by formulating patient screening systems, applying bio‐mechanical knowledge to the configuration of holds, as well as developing technique risk assessment procedures and supporting trainers.
Originality/value
This discussion paper enriches the current debate on how risk can be managed within the context of restraint, as well as that of how best NHS resources can be used in practice.
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This paper addresses increasing concern about the physical consequences for both staff and patients following implementation of physical interventions (PI), with particular…
Abstract
This paper addresses increasing concern about the physical consequences for both staff and patients following implementation of physical interventions (PI), with particular attention to injuries to staff and patients. The literature to date suggests that staff have consistently been injured more than patients. Future research is needed to establish clearly what proportion of staff injuries can be attributed to the potential causes outlined in this article.
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Jill Stewart, Rachel Crockett, Jim Gritton, Brendon Stubbs and Ann Pascoe
The purpose of this paper is to consolidate the range of issues relevant to owner occupiers who age in place and to offer an initial overview of how effective partnerships can…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consolidate the range of issues relevant to owner occupiers who age in place and to offer an initial overview of how effective partnerships can respond to and meet the changing needs of housing, health and social care of our ageing population.
Design/methodology/approach
Issues affecting older people's changing needs are considered holistically and considered in terms of how partnerships can be enhanced to develop improved services in the future.
Findings
Most owners wish to stay in their own homes for as long as possible and it can be cost-effective to do so; however, we need to look at new and innovative ways of developing and providing front-line services to enhance health and safety in the home, but also quality of life and wellbeing such as combating loneliness and isolation. However, although there are examples of evidence-based good practice, service provision is variable and there is a risk that many older home owners may miss out on services for which they may are eligible. With this in mind, it may be helpful to develop a new framework where one key practitioner holds responsibility to consolidate and coordinate the range of local services available as a package that offers a range of housing, health and social care services.
Originality/value
There are currently many policy and practice gaps in older owner occupier's housing conditions and suitability to meet their changing needs. This paper has a particular starting point in housing, and how other personal or technological services can help support independence for as long as possible and adapt to the owner-occupier's changing health and social care needs as they age in place. The authors emphasise the importance of sharing evidence-based good practice partnerships.