Prevalence and characteristics of violent patients in a general hospital.

A survey was conducted in an inner city general hospital to determine the prevalence and characteristics of violent patients. The patients were evaluated by psychiatrists in the psychiatric emergency and psychiatric consultation services during a six-month period, and in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) consultation service during a one-year period. Of 1,506 patients seen in the psychiatric emergency service, 103 (6.8%) exhibited violent behavior. The majority of these patients were diagnosed as having schizophrenic disorder or substance abuse disorder. Of 390 patients seen in the psychiatric consultation service, 17 (4.4%) were evaluated for violent behavior. The majority of these were diagnosed as having organic mental disorder or personality disorder. Of 256 patients seen by the AIDS consultation service, 11 (4.3%) were evaluated for violent behavior, of which seven patients were diagnosed as having organic mental disorder and four as having adjustment disorder. The authors conclude that violent behavior in their institution was not as prevalent as previously believed.