Characteristics of assaultive patients in private hospitals.

A study of two large private psychiatric hospitals showed rates and patterns of assaultive behavior by patients comparable to those found earlier in a study of public hospitals; this was especially true in the hospital that admitted involuntary patients. The targets of assault were predominantly family members other than spouses or children and persons outside the family. Seclusion was commonly used to manage assaultive patients in the private hospitals and the seclusion rates were higher than those found for public hospitals, probably reflecting a staff preference for seclusion over heavy medication. The need for staff education and support in the management of assaultive patients exists in private hospitals as well as public hospitals.