MOD F TECH 42 Managing Violence Flashcards
Assault Definitions
•Physical:
The intentional application of force to the person of another without lawful justification, resulting in physical injury or personal discomfort
•Non-Physical:
The use of inappropriate words or behaviour causing distress and/or constituting harassment
Policies
•Management of Personal Safety (Inc. lone worker guidance)
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•Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression to Staff guidance
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•Risk Management
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•Health and Safety
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•Untoward Incident Reporting
Current Laws
- Common Law
- Criminal Law Act 1967 Section 3
- Obstruction of Emergency Workers Act 2006*
- Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
(NHS Premises)
These laws are interpreted according to the following guidelines:
•Minimum use of force
•
•Proportionality of force used
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•Seriousness of evil to be prevented
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•Right of self-defence
Causes of aggression and violence
- Mental illness
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Effects of injury
- Stress/frustration, feelings of inadequacy
Management of situation
- Do not go on offensive
- Polite firm responses – do not lose temper
- Act professionally – don’t let actions, or suggest lack of concern
- Do not touch person who is arguing with you
- Don’t be drawn into heated debate
- Consider removing self from scene
- Your personal safety paramount
- Do not make assumptions about alcohol or drug use or abuse
•
A patient who only refuses to go to hospital is not being violent!
- No one has the right or authority to forcibly remove a patient from home unless a section 135 of the mental health act 1983 (updated 2007) is being applied and/or…
- The patient lacks capacity (MCA 2005) and you are acting in the patients best interest
Mental Capacity
Checklist - Stage 1
Mental Capacity
Checklist – Stage 2
Communication
What is likely to increase conflict?
- Shouting
- Swearing
- Name-calling
- Accusing
- Interrupting
- Not listening
- Body language
- Invading space
- Blocking exits……….
5-Step Appeal
- Ethical Appeal – simply ask the person to carry out the task e.g. please stop shouting or please leave
- Reasoned Appeal – re-enforce the rules e.g. please stop shouting otherwise I can’t help
- Personal Appeal – create and present options e.g. What would your family think if I was unable to help because of your behaviour
- Practical Appeal – the final appeal, you are now confirming their resistance e.g. What can I do to make you stop shouting?
- Action – tell them that you have no choice but to leave/call the police/ignore them
Physical Stance/Positioning
•Intimate Space
–Less than 18 inches
•Close family/partners
•
•Personal Space
–18 inches to 4 ft
- People we know
- Social Space
–4ft to 12 ft
•Most other people
Remember
•Ensure you are aware of EMAS policies and procedures with managing violence
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•Always do dynamic risk assessment – related to information available
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•Always remain calm and confident
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•Talking and listening should be the first choice of action
Law and assault
Serious assault
–Significant injury
–Police will normally prosecute
–Statements and appearance in court
Common assault
–No evidence of assault or injury
–Police unable to prosecute – onus on you to prosecute
Retaliation
- Could be considered assault by you!!!!
- Only use minimal force to protect your self
–Consider they are in state of excitement
–Respiratory, cardiac systems increased
–Oxygen requirement increased
- Do not sit on persons chest
- Do not put arm around their throat
