The profile of absconding psychiatric inpatients in Australia

Muir‐Cochrane, Eimear; Mosel, Krista A; Gerace, Adam; Esterman, Adrian; Bowers, Len

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03553.x

Cited by 36 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The relationship between containment and gender or age is often inconsistent between studies (e.g. Knutzen et al, 2014), and the higher proportion of males admitted to acute care inpatient units may account for the present findings (Muir-Cochrane, Mosel, Gerace, Esterman, & Bowers, 2011). Lack of more detailed information about demographics (e.g.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 46%

Seclusion and restraint use in adult inpatient mental health care: An Australian perspective

Oster

Gerace

Thomson³

et al. 2016

Collegian

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 46%

Seclusion and restraint use in adult inpatient mental health care: An Australian perspective

Oster

Gerace

Thomson³

et al. 2016

Collegian

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“…That said, most studies appear to adopt a broad definition of the behavior, commonly defining absconding as leaving the hospital without permission [16-18] and including a failure to return from an authorized leave [7,8,12,19-21]. In their systematic review of absconding, Bowers and colleagues [1] reported the mean rate of absconding for general psychiatry (excluding forensic services) was 12.6% of all patients ‘at risk’ (defined as the total number of inpatients at the beginning of the study period plus the number of those admitted in the course of the study), with a range of 2-44%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics and motivations of absconders from forensic mental health services: a case-control study

et al. 2014

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BackgroundAbsconding from hospital is a significant health and security issue within psychiatric facilities that can have considerable adverse effects on patients, their family members and care providers, as well as the wider community. Several studies have documented correlates associated with absconding events among general psychiatric samples; however, few studies have examined this phenomenon within samples of forensic patients where the perception of threat to public safety in the event of an unauthorized absence from hospital is often higher.MethodsWe investigate the frequency, timing, and determinants of absconding events among a sample of forensic psychiatric patients over a 24-month period, and compare patients who abscond to a control group matched along several sociodemographic and clinical dimensions. We explore, in a qualitative manner, patients’ motives for absconding.ResultsFifty-seven patients were responsible for 102 incidents of absconding during the two year study window. Forensic patients who absconded from hospital were more likely to have a history of absconding attempts, a diagnosed substance use disorder, as well as score higher on a structured professional violence risk assessment measure. Only one of the absconding events identified included an incident of minor violence, and very few included the commission of other illegal behaviors (with the exception of substance use). The most common reported motive for absconding was a sense of boredom or frustration.ConclusionsUsing an inclusive definition of absconding, we found that absconding events were generally of brief duration, and that no member of the public was harmed by patients who absconded. Findings surrounding the motivations of absconders suggest that improvements in therapeutic communication between patients and clinical teams could help to reduce the occurrence of absconding events.

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“…Risk assessment and management are major components of contemporary mental health practice. Risk, described as "the likelihood of an adverse event happening" (Muir-Cochrane & Wand, 2005, p. 5), can include patient aggression (Daffern & Howells, 2009), suicide and self-harm (Thompson, Powis, & Carradice, 2008), absconding (Muir-Cochrane, Mosel, Gerace, Esterman, & Bowers, 2011), substance abuse (Thomson, 1999), and diverse concerns, such as medical comorbidity, exploitation, social exclusion, victimization, and poverty (Kelly & McKenna, 2004;Muir-Cochrane, 2006). The increasing importance placed on risk assessment and management is reflected in not just policy, but also the daily care of consumers by health care professionals worldwide (de Nesnera, & Folks, 2010;Department of Health, 2007;Langan, 2010;Oordt, Jobes, Fonseca, & Schmidt, 2009).…”

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confidence: 99%