Managing the violent patient in the general hospital

Successful treatment of aggressive behavior depends on promptly addressing it, preventing violence by timely intervention, and proceeding with differential diagnosis and definitive medical or psychiatric treatment. Whenever a frightened, threatened, or hostile patient is identified, the staff should address this mood and begin measures to prevent a violet outcome, keeping safety uppermost in mind. Paradoxically, ignoring anger or beligerency augments its development by increasing the patient's suspiciousness, frustration, helplessness, or out-of-control feelings. Whenever possible the staff should adopt a conciliatory but firm approach aimed at resolving the crisis. Resolution may require force, which should be left to security personnel or effected only with overwhelming staff power. Armed patients are always the province of the police. Medication can be extremely effective as an aid in subduing patients, as short-term symptomatic treatment, and often in long-term management.