Information
Behavior Management
Behavior management includes all of the actions and conscious inactions to enhance the probability that people choose behaviors which are personally fulfilling, productive and socially acceptable.
Passive Physical Restraint
Never touch angry, paranoid or combative behaviors unless you know from history that touching is safe.
Much combativeness is precipitated by unknowing staff members approaching participants incorrectly. The value of touch cannot be underestimated but used incorrectly it can be disastrous. Give the participant room to breathe. A boxed-in feeling can easily precipitate combativeness.
Always keep the participant informed of what you are doing. Fear of the unknown can precipitate violence. This fear is easily prevented many times by providing an explanation. Watch for subtle signs of behavior change which are warning signs of impending violence. By responding appropriately violence can usually be prevented.
Stay out of the way of combative participants. Protect other participants and yourself from harm. Get help because you cannot use restraint. Respect the participant's right to refuse treatment. However if this happens contact your case manager immediately! You should always display acceptable behavior. Most people learn acceptable behavior by following the lead of authority figures and peers around them. It is important to remember that those who are physically aggressive themselves are often most fearful of violence.
Once they realize that their caregivers are competent, caring, non-violent people their own combativeness decreases. Caregivers teach acceptable behavior by personally displaying acceptable behavior and by controlling unacceptable behavior in a caring fashion.
Crisis De-Escalation Management of Aggressive Behavior
Prevention strategies are used to prevent the escalation of negative behavior.
Prevention Strategies are:
- Active listening
- Redirecting
- Clarifying expectations
- Problem solving
- Encouragement
- Restructuring the environment
In order to provide a safe and orderly environment and to protect the welfare of participants staff de-escalation should be used.
Non-Physical interaction is the acceptable method of staff crisis de-escalation and includes the following:
- Provide undivided attention
- Be non-judgmental in works and actions
- Focus on the individual's feelings
- Allow silence, the person may need time to respond
- Clarify the message. Restate simply what you think you heard.
Passive physical restraints mean using the least amount of direct physical contact required by staff to prevent someone from harming themselves or others.
The use of physical restraint, seclusion and aggressiveness (verbal or physical) are prohibited.