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Research article
Lisa Whitehead
Edith Cowan University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6395-0279
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Agitation among patients is a common and distressing behaviour across a variety of health care settings, particularly inpatient mental health. Unless recognised early and effectively managed it can lead to aggression and personal injury. The aim of this paper is to explore the experiences of mental health nurses in recognising and managing agitation in an inpatient mental health setting and the alignment of these experiences with best practice and person-centred care.
Methods: This study used a qualitative cross-sectional descriptive methodology. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with twenty-one nurses working in a mental health unit in 2018. Nursing staff described their experiences of assessing and managing agitation. Descriptive and Thematic Analysis were undertaken of the transcribed focus group dialogue.
Results: Nurses combined their clinical knowledge, assessment protocols and training with information from patients to make an individualised assessment of agitation. Nurses also adopted an individualised approach to management by engaging patients in decisions about their care. In keeping with best practice recommendations, de-escalation strategies were the first choice option for management, though nurses also described using both coercive restraint and medication under certain circumstances. From the perspective of patient-centred care, the care provided aligned with elements of person-centred care nursing care.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that clinical mental health nurses assess and manage agitation, with certain exceptions, in line with best practice and a person-centred care nursing framework.
Keywords
Agitation, assessment, management, mental health, nurses, person-centred care, qualitative research
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Nursing.
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 22 Oct, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 20 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 16 Oct, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 16 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 12 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 11 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 06 Oct, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 05 Oct, 2020
Editor invited
On 05 Oct, 2020
Version 1
Posted 25 Aug, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 22 Sep, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 20 Sep, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 19 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 10 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 08 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 08 Sep, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 26 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 26 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 22 Aug, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 21 Aug, 2020
Editor invited
On 21 Aug, 2020
First submitted
On 10 Aug, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Nursing
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at BMC Nursing.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Lisa Whitehead
Edith Cowan University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6395-0279
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Nursing.
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 22 Oct, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 20 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 16 Oct, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 16 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 12 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 11 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 06 Oct, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 05 Oct, 2020
Editor invited
On 05 Oct, 2020
Version 1
Posted 25 Aug, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 22 Sep, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 20 Sep, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 19 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 10 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 08 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 08 Sep, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 26 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 26 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 22 Aug, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 21 Aug, 2020
Editor invited
On 21 Aug, 2020
First submitted
On 10 Aug, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Nursing
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Nursing.
Background: Agitation among patients is a common and distressing behaviour across a variety of health care settings, particularly inpatient mental health. Unless recognised early and effectively managed it can lead to aggression and personal injury. The aim of this paper is to explore the experiences of mental health nurses in recognising and managing agitation in an inpatient mental health setting and the alignment of these experiences with best practice and person-centred care.
Methods: This study used a qualitative cross-sectional descriptive methodology. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with twenty-one nurses working in a mental health unit in 2018. Nursing staff described their experiences of assessing and managing agitation. Descriptive and Thematic Analysis were undertaken of the transcribed focus group dialogue.
Results: Nurses combined their clinical knowledge, assessment protocols and training with information from patients to make an individualised assessment of agitation. Nurses also adopted an individualised approach to management by engaging patients in decisions about their care. In keeping with best practice recommendations, de-escalation strategies were the first choice option for management, though nurses also described using both coercive restraint and medication under certain circumstances. From the perspective of patient-centred care, the care provided aligned with elements of person-centred care nursing care.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that clinical mental health nurses assess and manage agitation, with certain exceptions, in line with best practice and a person-centred care nursing framework.
Figure 1
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