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Published Online: 1 May 2012

Homicide in Psychiatric Hospitals in Australia and New Zealand

Olav Nielssen, Ph.D., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P. [email protected], and Matthew M. Large, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 63, Number 5
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201100290
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Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify and describe the circumstances of homicides that have occurred in inpatient psychiatric facilities in Australia and New Zealand in the past 25 years.

Methods:

Homicides in psychiatric hospitals were identified by an acquaintance chain method.

Results:

Eleven homicides by ten patients occurred within psychiatric hospital wards in Australia and New Zealand between 1985 and 2010. The homicides fell into three broad categories: homicides by acutely ill patients soon after admission, homicides by forensic patients in low-security settings, and homicides in which vulnerable and elderly patients were victims.

Conclusions:

Acute psychiatric units should have adequate procedures for controlling acutely ill and physically menacing patients. It is also recommended that patients who have committed serious violence in response to symptoms during previous episodes of illness be treated with an adequate dose of antipsychotic medication. An important task in any psychiatric hospital is to protect patients and staff from physical violence. (Psychiatric Services 63:500–503, 2012; doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201100290)

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Table 1 Characteristics of ten homicides in psychiatric hospitals in Australia and New Zealand, 1985–2010

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric Services
Go to Psychiatric Services
Psychiatric Services
Volume 63 • Number 5 • May 2012
Pages: 500 - 503
PubMed: 22549536

History

Published online: 1 May 2012
Published in print: May 2012

Authors

Details

Olav Nielssen, Ph.D., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P. [email protected]
Dr. Nielssen is affiliated with the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St. Vincent's Hospital, 390 Victoria St., Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Matthew M. Large, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P.
Dr. Large is with the Department of Mental Health Services, Prince of Wales Hospital, and with the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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