An audit of the use of breakaway techniques in a large psychiatric hospital: a replication study

Abstract

This paper describes an audit study of the effectiveness of breakaway training conducted in a specialist inpatient mental health hospital. Breakaway techniques comprise a set of physical skills to help separate or break away from an aggressor in a safe manner, but do not involve the use of restraint. Staff (n= 147) were assessed on their ability to break away from simulations of potentially life-threatening scenarios in a timely manner, and using the techniques taught in annual breakaway or refresher training. We found that only 14% (21/147) of participants correctly used the taught techniques to break away within 10 s. However, 80% of people were able to break away from the scenarios within 10 s but did not use the techniques taught to them. This audit reinforces questions about breakaway training raised in a previous study. It further demonstrates the need for a national curriculum for physical intervention training and development of the evidence base for the content of such training as a priority.

Breakaways in specialist secure psychiatry

“…Work is needed to ascertain which, if any, techniques are most effectively taught. Current evidence for the effectiveness of breakaway training is unconvincing (Rogers et al 2006, Dickens et al 2009) and our results support calls to take a more scientific approach (Mott et al 2009). Our data suggest that the relatively frequent use of techniques to block punches or kicks justifies their inclusion in training programmes.…”

“…Current evidence for the effectiveness of breakaway training is unconvincing (Rogers et al . 2006, Dickens et al . 2009) and our results support calls to take a more scientific approach (Mott et al .…”

“…2007) and about its effectiveness in terms of translation into practice (Rogers et al . 2006, 2007, Dickens et al . 2009).…”

“…[that] do not involve the use of restraint'. Previous studies have raised concerns about content and delivery of breakaway training (Rogers et al 2007) and about its effectiveness in terms of translation into practice (Rogers et al 2006, Dickens et al 2009). Previous largescale surveys of nursing and other clinical staff about their use of breakaway techniques have been conducted in acute psychiatric settings (Wright et al 2005) and results may not generalize to specialist forensic and other secure services.…”

Uso da simulação na capacitação sobre violência no trabalho da enfermagem

“…Using simulation resources, researchers addressed different topics of violence, such as patient violence, assault, shooter presence at the workplace, horizontal violence (among nurses), bullying and violence management. (13,14,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33) Patient-generated events were the main topic of violence addressed in the studies (Chart 2).…”